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Statewide Commission Finally Makes Quorum,
Approves Amendments, Celebrates 2 Year Anniversary

The Commission on Statewide Law Enforcement Standards of Conduct and Discipline (LESC) met twice since we last wrote about their work in #91. On February 5, they finally made quorum after failing to do so on November 16 and December 14, approved amendments to their rules, welcomed some new members, and celebrated the work they did in 2023. The LESC was formed during the 2021 legislative session with a purpose of establishing standards of conduct and discipline for law enforcement officials throughout the state. The LESC's seven initially-adopted misconduct standards cover assault, sexual assault, sexual harassment, unjustified or excessive use of physical or deadly force resulting in death or serious injury, "moral character," intentional misuse of police authority based on protected class or status, and use of drugs or alcohol while on duty.

At recent meetings when they didn't meet quorum, the members discussed enhancing the rules to include excessive use of force that does not result in death or serious physical injury. LESC Chair Michael Slauson reminded the Commissioners that they received public comment from former Oregon State Police Superintendent Travis Hampton, who said that, irrespective of injury, the consequence for unjustified or excessive deadly force should be mandated termination. Presumably, this will be the next rule that gets codified, although whether or not they decide to mandate termination is not a slam dunk given that the members with the most influence on the LESC represent the interests of law enforcement officers.

New members of the Commission include Kelsey McDaniel, George Burke and Jeff Helfrich. McDaniel, the Union County District Attorney, replaced Michael Wu representing prosecutors in the state. Lake Oswego Police Chief George Burke replaced the now-retired John Teague as one of two chief law enforcement officers. Burke worked his way up from Officer to Commander with the Portland Police Bureau from 1992 through 2016. Rep. Jeff Helfrich, Minority Leader of the Oregon House of Representatives, was appointed by the Speaker of the House to take Rep. Ron Noble's non-voting advisory position. Helfrich worked for the Portland Police Bureau for 25 years from 1992 through 2017.

There will be more turnover on the Commission as the initial members have now served their full 2 year terms which expired on February 15, 2024. Anil Karia, attorney for the Portland Police Association (PPA) and the Oregon Coalition of Police and Sheriffs (ORCOPS), and Steven Schuback, the lawyer who was contracted by the City of Portland to lead negotiations on the City's collective bargaining contract with the PPA in 2021, both expressed interest in remaining on the Commission for another term. Slauson said he would relay those requests to the Attorney General who makes all the appointments. The position of Executive Director remains vacant, and when asked during public comment at the February meeting for a timeline of when all the empty positions would be filled, the Chair said he had no information to share.

Something to keep an eye on is whether Chief Timothy Addleman, who serves as the one required member who represents a federally recognized Indian tribe or association of tribes within the state, remains on the board to continue the overrepresentation of chief law enforcement officers or if he is replaced by someone without ties to law enforcement. Since the public learned about the Commission's work, there have been repeated calls for more representation from the general community, including people and/or loved ones of people who have experienced police violence.

May, 2024
Also in PPR #92

Portland Copwatch
PO Box 42456
Portland, OR 97242
(503) 236-3065/ Incident Report Line (503) 321-5120
e-mail: copwatch@portlandcopwatch.org

Portland Copwatch is a grassroots, volunteer organization promoting police accountability through citizen action.

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