Friends (of Portland Copwatch)
We sent out information about this upcoming public forum on police accountability in a longer email a while back. It is particularly important for the Citizen Review Committee (CRC) to hear from members of the community who have concerns about (a) incidents they have endured or witnessed at the hands of the Portland police and/or (b) how the civilian oversight system in Portland works (still police investigating other police after all these years).
While the CRC is the tiny sliver of what we might call a police review board in this city, the 5-week struggle to get City Council to expand CRC's powers in November and December proved that the powers that be still don't understand how to build trust in the oversight system. The CRC had asked for and supported several changes that were not made, BUT now have the ability to recommend policy changes directly to the Bureau, rather than being filtered through the professional staff at the "Independent" Police Review Division, where CRC is housed.
SO- We strongly encourage you all, especially those involved with Occupy Portland who tried telling their stories to City Council but were gavelled down by the Mayor, to turn out next Thursday, the 26th, at the East Portland Community Center to go on record with CRC with your concerns. It would probably be helpful even if you are relating a personal story of misconduct to articulate how you think things could be made better... no police horses or pepper spray at protests? Investigations into misconduct done by independent civilians, not police Internal Affairs? You decide.
Quick note in case this matters to anyone: We've discouraged the use of this particular meeting space in the past because it is across the street from the Police Bureau's East Precinct. The CRC has not formally invited (nor had, to our knowledge) police present at any of their previous commuinity forums (fora??), so if you see police cars and uniforms, you should know that's why.
Also, for historical reference, Sunday Janaury 29 will mark 2 years since Aaron Campbell was shot in the back and killed by Officer Ron Frashour.
Spread the word.
-dan handelman
portland copwatch
CITIZEN REVIEW COMMITTEE
Community Oversight of Portland Police Bureau
Jamie Troy, Chair
Message: 503-823-0926 Fax: 503-823-3530 TTD: 503-823-6868
E-mail:  crc@portlandoregon.gov
www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/ipr
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
For Immediate Release January 17, 2012
The Citizen Review Committee (CRC), a nine-member volunteer committee appointed by the Portland City Council to monitor and advise the City Auditor's Independent Police Review (IPR) division, hear appeals of police complaints and gather community concerns about police services in Portland, Oregon.
The CRC members are hosting a community forum to present information about their work to provide community oversight of the police and hear community input about police services. The forum will be facilitated and the notes from the forum will be posted to the IPR/CRC website. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, contact 503-823-0926 or crc@portlandoregon.gov .
The IPR/CRC website is  http://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/ipr .
WHAT: Community Public Forum on Police Accountability
WHEN: Thursday, January 26, 2012 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: East Portland Community Center 740 SE 106th Ave, Portland 97216
[information posted on www.occupyportland.org ]
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Everyone got a chance to speak to the committee and to the community in the room, for 3 minutes
I seen a person Ustreaming from Occupy Portland for the last 1/2 of the meeting.
I filmed the meeting missing the first 30 minutes - video coming soon right here on indymedia
Some short cell phone clips (6) I recorded are here:
Most comments were from the folks who were at the demonstration with Occupy Portland solidarity march with Egypt's one year anniversary in Tahrir Sq. But there were a few from citizens that had concerns with the police and how they are treating people in general and it was not related to the Occupy movement.
One young lady (a mom) with six boys spoke passionately of her concern on how the police respond to calls about people having a mental issues. Her concern that if she would ever need to call the police would they end up harming (killing) the very one who needed help. She had read about the recent shooting and took time from raising her kids to speak at that meeting. She didn't know much about the occupy marchers and their experience. But she expressed concern for them as well and asked for the police to treat them respectfully as well. It was an emotional statement of concern and respect for life and people, it was a plea for help directed to the committee.
I spoke about "no name tags, horses causing troubles by storming into crowds, police using weapons around peaceful citizens, no accountability (who's in charge?), chemical weapons, Human Rights violations and what ever else I could cram into a 3 minute rant. [I missed the Lone Vet who also spoke about the use of police horses that are used in and against protesters, he spoke before I arrived]
Copwatch spoke about how the IPR need to change the "narrative" on how the "police acted during occupy protests" Dan from copwatch spoke on how the "PR message" was that the cops handled the occupy protest(s) successfully with non violence and how well they did? (not!){WTF?}
Over a dozen people spoke, the young 15 year old kid who was punched by the police told his personal story about being hit while on the sidewalk. One person on the committee said from what they knew: was from the morning paper and nothing like what they were hearing in the meeting was mentioned in the news.
[That why we say Fuck the Corporate Media]
The citizens Police committee stated that they would except video footage or a URL link to a video or even a "No Name" video from anyone anytime. Please send them to their office email account. Another committee member said that people (citizens) need to step up and "file a complaint" to make the police and city know they are or will be sued for using abusive police behavior and tactics.
Video from meeting will be posted here on this PIMC thread [asap]