2/14/2019 PPB Statement 2/14/2019 - Google Docs
Statement from CAIR Oregon, the Oregon Justice Resource Center and Western States Center regarding reports of texts between Portland Police officer Lt. Jeff Niiya and Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson
2/14/2019
Today’s report from W illamette Week and the P ortland Mercury that t he commanding officer for the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) rapid response team s ent warm texts and helpful tips to Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson is just the latest news showing an inappropriate and disproportionate response to altright groups from PPB. In June, a draft version of a P ortland Independent Police Review report was released which found that PPB officers viewed altright groups more favorably than counter protestors. O ver the summer, Chief Danielle Outlaw reinforced this position by appearing on the farright Lars Larson talk radio show to defend the PPB’s use of force against counter protestors in August.
Given this troubling pattern, it is time Portlanders heard from Chief Outlaw about the PPB’s position on the resolution condemning white supremacy, white nationalism and altright hate groups that was unanimously passed by the Portland City Council last week. The Mayor and City leadership have made their position clear. But, given the central role PPB must play in deterring political violence, our communities need to hear from Chief Outlaw directly on whether she aligns with City leadership on this issue and how her department rejects hate and bigotry. Specifically, given a growing perception that the PPB or individual actors within law enforcement have allowed their sympathies for altright groups to dictate their professional behavior, we welcome a public statement from Chief Outlaw on how she intends to do to address this direct conflict with the values expressed by city leadership.
CAIROR, OJRC and WSC encourage Chief Outlaw to commit to both training for law enforcement leadership on responding to violent white nationalist and altright activity as well as an independent investigation and audit into collusion between altright groups and officers within the PPB. The investigator should be determined in consultation with community groups, and the results made public.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GL-DpMWhipUdK-rl80uunoNhl7HGqiyObZKOm_0krDE/edit?ts=5c660616 1/1