Governor Kate Brown Announces Membership of Public Safety Training and Standards Task Force
July 08, 2020
Task force will develop recommendations for improving the training and certification practices for Oregon law enforcement officers
Portland, OR—Governor Kate Brown today announced her appointees to the Public Safety Training and Standards Task Force. The Task Force will be chaired by the Governor’s Public Safety Policy Advisor, Constantin Severe, and its membership includes a diverse selection of Oregonians with a history of public service. A full roster of members is available here .
“Bold action on racial justice and criminal justice reform is long overdue,” said Governor Brown. “But words from leaders aren’t enough. We need action. That is why I called lawmakers into a special session to take action on police reform and the People of Color Caucus agenda. This was an important step forward.
“I am forming a Public Safety Training and Standards Task Force to complete a full review of law enforcement training, certification, and decertification practices. I would like to thank the Task Force members for stepping up to this call, and I look forward to reviewing the recommendations they put forward.”
The Task Force is charged with recommending to the Governor improvements in the training and certification of Oregon law enforcement officers. To complete its charge, members of the Task Force will:
• Review current Oregon statutes and administrative rules on police training and certification.
• Identify gaps in current statute, administrative rules, and policies governing officer training and certification.
• Recommend how to apply best practices, research and data to officer training and certification.
• Provide recommendations on how to best incorporate concepts of racial equity into officer training and certification requirements.
• Provide recommendations on use of force training, including best practices of how to incorporate concepts of officer use of the least amount of necessary force to accomplish a lawful objective and de-escalation during a use of force event.
• Provide recommendations on the composition of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training and how to include additional public participation and inclusion of communities of color.
• Provide recommendations on statutory requirements for officer decertification.
The Task Force will provide a written report of its recommendations and findings to the Governor by November 1, 2020.
https://www.oregon.gov/newsroom/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=36912
Becky Chiao Named Oregon's New Public Records Advocate
July 10, 2020
Portland, OR—Becky Chiao will be Oregon’s new Public Records Advocate, effective August 3. The Public Records Advisory Council interviewed candidates for the position, and nominated a panel of three finalists. The Governor's Office will forward Chiao’s appointment to the Senate for confirmation.
As Public Records Advocate, Chiao will provide facilitated dispute resolution services for public records requests and will conduct statewide trainings on the requirements and best practices for processing and responding to public records requests.
“Ms. Chiao brings a background rooted in problem-solving, advocacy, and facilitated resolution–all of which are critical to the functions of the Public Records Advocate,” said Governor Brown. “I am pleased she will be taking on this important role. I would like to thank the members of the Public Records Advisory Council for their work in the recruitment and interview process.”
Chiao comes to the state from the City of Portland, where she has worked since 2001, first as Deputy Ombudsman and then as a Civil Rights Claims Analyst—a position she has held since 2004. Prior to her work with the City, Ms. Chiao was a staff attorney with the National Immigration Law Center. She received her bachelor’s degree from Reed College in Portland, and her law degree from the City University of New York School of Law in Flushing, New York.
Chiao’s appointment is effective August 3, subject to Senate confirmation.
https://www.oregon.gov/newsroom/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=36933