DOJ Investigating PPB for Pattern of Excessive Force Against the Mentally Ill
by: Abassos • June 7, 2011 • no comments
The United States Department of Justice is commencing an investigation of the Portland Police Bureau under the Violent Crime Control and Enforcement Act. The Civil Rights Section of the DOJ and the Oregon US Attorney will examine "whether there is a pattern or practice of excessive force used by PPB officers, particularly against people living with mental illness." The US DOJ Notice Letter to Sam Adams is here.
According to AAG Thomas Perez, who announced the investigation today, "the review was prompted by the significant increase in police shooting over the last 18 months, the majority which involved people with mental illness." Oregonian.
According to a recent tweet by Sam Adams: "We more than welcome this investigation. We asked for it." Apparently, Saltzman and Adams requested an investigation after the Campbell shooting.
Here's the Oregonian story.
