The City of Portland is now accepting applications for its Independent Police Citizen Review Committee (CRC). This volunteer committee, comprising eleven members, was established in 2001 with a focus on improving police accountability, elevating the standards of police services, and bolstering public confidence.
The CRC operates as an independent advisory body to both the City of Portland’s Independent Police Review (IPR) and the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), with the IPR being responsible for civilian oversight of the PPB. The committee plays a crucial role in shaping the police-community relationship by holding public meetings to address community and Police Bureau member appeals concerning police misconduct investigations, listening to community concerns about police conduct, and participating in training and activities to enhance cultural awareness and responsiveness. Additionally, the CRC reviews Police Bureau policies and procedures, advises the IPR on complaint handling processes, and periodically serves on the Police Review Board, which advises the Chief of Police on findings and proposed officer discipline.
Applications for the CRC are open until March 17, 2024, with up to five vacancies available. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply, particularly those who have not previously been involved in such committees. The City is committed to ensuring that the CRC represents the diverse demographic and ethnic composition of Portland. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate impartiality and objectivity, possess strong communication and listening skills, and be willing to commit substantial time to training, monthly meetings, and independent review of complaint files. A criminal background check, conducted by an agency other than the Police Bureau, is a part of the selection process.
The selection committee seeks individuals with a record of community involvement and the absence of any real or perceived conflict of interest. The appointed CRC members will serve renewable three-year terms, with a maximum continuous service of eight years. They are expected to maintain high standards of confidentiality, engage actively in CRC and Police Review Board meetings, and interact with elected officials.
The CRC meets monthly via Zoom at times convenient to the committee, with additional meetings as necessary for CRC business. Workgroups also meet monthly between full CRC meetings. When serving on a Police Review Board, additional time is required to review misconduct investigations.
The City ensures a fair and ethical process for committee members, who are regarded as “Public Officials.” Training on public officials’ ethics is provided, and members are expected to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. The City also accommodates participation barriers and encourages applicants to inform them of any such needs.
Applications are evaluated and scored by a selection committee, with the most qualified applicants invited for an interview. Following the background check, selected applicants are submitted by the IPR Director for City Council appointment.
In addition to the application, there is a voluntary and confidential demographic questionnaire, which the City uses to ensure a broad representation of the community in advisory body appointments. State and federal laws protect applicants against discrimination based on the information provided in the questionnaire.
For those interested in this opportunity, further information and the application form are available on the City’s website https://www.portland.gov/ipr/crc, and questions can be directed to Ocean Eale at [email protected].
