Update on Oregon Special Legislative Session

As protests continue in Oregon and around the country against police misconduct, the Oregon Legislature is taking up six bills June 24 to help address equity and justice in Oregon. The governor has bi-partisan support for reforms.

In order to inform you, here are the six issues* being addressed:

1. Transparency of Police Discipline Records

Similar to the public transparency that educators are subject to through the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission disclosure process and public database, the concept would require the same for police officers (e.g., disclosure of officer name, bureau of employment, etc.), through the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) complaint review and integrity processes.

2. Independent Investigation of Use of Force

Building on the framework established by Senate Bill 111 (2007), the concept would authorize Oregon’s Attorney General to investigate and prosecute (if a criminal act is determined) any use of force by a police officer that results in death or serious physical injury. Investigations that do not result in criminal prosecution would be released to the public.

3. Duty to Report and Intervene

To ensure the highest level of professional conduct by police officers, the concept would require all police officers to intervene to prevent or stop any fellow officer from conducting any act that is unethical or that violates law or policy (e.g., excessive force, theft, fraud, inappropriate language, sexual misconduct, harassment, falsifying documents, inappropriate behavior, etc.). Intervention may be verbal and/or physical, and failure to intervene would be subject to disciplinary action.

4. Protecting Freedom of Speech

Unless a crime is being committed, people who are exercising their freedom of speech in public areas should be protected from dangerous crowd control techniques that can cause physical injury. The concept would prohibit the use of weapons of war: tear gas and sound cannons. The use of flashbang grenades, other non-lethal projectiles or disbursement tools would need to be documented and information about usage must be made available to the public no later than 72 hours after use.

5. Discipline Guidelines and Arbitration Decisions

To uphold agreed-upon discipline standards, the concept would prohibit an arbitrator from lessening a disciplinary action against a police officer if the arbitrator and the law enforcement agency determine that the officer has committed misconduct. (Senate Bill 1567A, 2020)

6. Chokeholds

While a legislative task force takes a comprehensive look at Oregon’s use of force for the 2021 session, the concept would prohibit the use of chokeholds and other respiratory constricting restraints that can kill people. Additionally, the use of a chokehold by a police officer would be made a criminal act.

AARP’s vision is a society in which all people live with dignity and purpose, and fulfill their goals and dreams. AARP has been working to promote the health and well-being of older Americans for more than sixty years. Please connect with us at oraarp@aarp.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AARPOregon.



*This information was provided by the Oregon Legislature.