Final Report on Tualatin Police Use of Force Policies Accepted

On January 25, the Tualatin City Council voted unanimously to accept the Community Conversations on Police Use of Force Policies Final Report and directed staff to prepare a work plan to implement the six recommendations included in the report.

This report was compiled following an extensive community engagement process designed to follow the four-step process identified in the “Reimagining Policing Pledge” signed by Mayor Frank Bubenik in June 2020. The pledge committed organizations to review their police use of force policies in collaboration with the community and make any necessary changes to ensure excessive use of force is not tolerated. Over 50 people engaged in the process, whether by attending a public meeting, or submitting written comment.

Recommendations identified in the final report include:

• Collaborate with regional partners to improve response to individuals experiencing mental health crises.
• Ensure use of force policies include a focus on using the least amount of force reasonable.
• Ensure use of force policies include a focus on using de-escalation techniques when reasonable.
• Increase training on recognizing when someone is in distress.
• Increase training on cultural awareness and racial bias.
• Provide regular updates to the City Council and the community – particularly on stop data, use of force data, and officer misconduct.

During the January 25 City Council meeting, Councilor Cyndy Hillier said, “In talking to community members who did participate in this process… [they had] an increased level of respect for you, your position, and our officers. Your willingness to be transparent and be vulnerable in this process…the community benefited. I thought it was a great process.”

Police Chief Bill Steele and City Manager Sherilyn Lombos will report back to the City Council on progress implementing these six recommendations.