Ordinance to Enhance the Identification and Accountability of Law Enforcement Deliberated

(PORTLAND, OR.)—“The Community and Public Safety Committee meeting on March 17th focused critically on an ordinance to enhance the identification and accountability of law enforcement officers operating in Portland, specifically targeting facial coverings, badge visibility, and identity verification.”

Photo Credit: YouTube

The proposed city ordinance aims for more stringent requirements, a move strongly supported by community advocates, immigrant rights groups, and several religious leaders who recounted chilling experiences of 'masked kidnappings' and fear caused by unidentified agents, including ICE. They view the ordinance as a vital tool to rebuild trust and protect vulnerable communities. 

The Portland City Council has been under public scrutiny over the Macadam ICE facility in the past months, as reported here and here.

Councilor Sameer Kanal begins the meeting by outlining the items that will be discussed.

“This meeting of the Community Public Safety Committee will consider two items. An ordinance to add identification of law enforcement officers code to prohibit facial covering, require badge visibility, and require identity verification for individuals conducting law enforcement activities,” Kanal Said.

Photo Credit: YouTube

“Following that, there's a resolution to affirm council support for transparency and accountability in law enforcement”, Kanal said. 

Councilor Kanal provides some background information.

Media: YouTube / eGov PDX

Councilor Kanal highlights that the city of Denver has voted to pass a mask ban and welcomes Denver Councilwoman Flor Alvidrez and Councilwoman Shontel Lewis to speak about that decision for their city.

Councilwoman Alvidrez addresses some of the concerns in her city that led to the ban on masks.

“In Denver, we realized that we had taken something for granted. That was that local law enforcement do not operate with a mask and unidentified. But we began to see more instances around the country and here locally, where this is happening,” Alvidrez says. “The question that was posed to me is, ‘What are we supposed to do when someone shows up with a gun and a mask?’”

Photo Credit: YouTube

“In a democracy, and authority should never operate anonymously, and people shouldn’t be allowed to hide their faces, as we are not allowed to hide our faces. We respectfully urge you to pass this legislation and help protect both residents and the integrity of law enforcement, and really appreciate you bringing this forward,” Alvidrez says.

Councilwoman Lewis joins her colleague in advocating for the mask ban.

“One thing that I really appreciate is the opportunity to turn pain into policy. And so often we have policies that are painful to individuals in our community. And I think this is an opportunity to turn pain into policy,” Lewis said.

“Representatives from the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) and the police union raised concerns about duplication of state law, constitutional and jurisdictional limits on regulating federal agencies, operational burdens, potential bargaining issues, and significant financial costs (up to $500,000) for uniform changes, arguing it could create confusion and strain mutual aid partnerships,” OpGov.news said.

 Media: YouTube / eGov PDX

Many signed up for public testimony, among them Heather Helman, who expressed strong support for passing the ordinance, calling it overdue. She believes the ordinance will rebuild trust between police and the community, making both safer, especially for immigrant neighbors, and that a mere resolution is insufficient to protect them.

Photo Credit: YouTube

“Most importantly, our immigrant neighbors want this ordinance. A resolution is not enough to protect them. I urge you to vote for this today, because the threats, especially to our most vulnerable, are only getting worse,” Helman said.

In addition to those who addressed the council in person, a total of 84 written testimonies were submitted, all in support of the ordinance.

The meeting concluded prematurely due to a loss of quorum, preventing a vote on the ordinance and deferring further discussion and public testimony to Apr. 7.

If you would like to comment or add to this report, please email me at rory.h@lead4earth.org.