What is Portland deciding about transmit report to the City on Portland Police Bureau Officer-Involved Shootings and Critical Incidents by the OIR Group?

The OIR Group presents their ninth report of closed investigations of Portland Police Bureau officer-involved shootings that occurred between 2019 and 2022. City Code requires that Independent Police Review (IPR) retain the services of an outside expert to review completed investigations of officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths. Since 2010, the OIR Group has served as the City's outside expert to review these closed cases and provide their insights and recommendations to the City. This report completes the work on the contract with IPR for these services.

The reviewed sources do not clearly identify every existing policy, service, contract, or obligation that would remain unchanged.

This proposal concerns public safety and requires action through Portland’s public legislative process.

This report is of significant value to our community, especially given the ongoing conversations about the Police Bureau’s approach to behavioral health issues, and the importance of the City having implemented body-worn cameras. It is a thorough review of ten incidents of officer involved shootings and details how the Portland Police Bureau investigated and reviewed each incident. The OIR Group's analysis centers on the quality and thoroughness of the Police Bureau’s criminal and administrative investigations. The report identifies continued improvements in the quality of the completed investigations, while noting areas of failure to follow through on some previous recommendations.In the years since the OIR Group began its work, they have met with community advocacy groups, including mental health advocates and members of the Albina Ministerial Alliance, the civilian coordinator of the Police Bureau’s Crisis Intervention Team program, and members of the Citizen Review Committee. The OIR Group also met with Police Bureau command staff, a civilian facilitator of the Police Review Board, and the president of the Portland Police Association. This public involvement informs the OIR Group of the historical context of the cases that it reviews. Stakeholders provided relevant information and community perspective as the project developed.The OIR Group will also take part in a Citizen Review Committee meeting on January 28, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss this report.