Our community’s trust in federal law enforcement has reached its nadir. At this time, it is crucial that the city take steps to restore faith and confidence in those sworn to protect Portlanders and uphold the laws. The “right to know who’s policing you” ordinance would do just that.
When we authorize uniformed and armed law enforcement to patrol our city, and at times to restrict our freedoms, the ability to immediately recognize those officers and distinguish them from masked and anonymous vigilantes or impersonators can be a matter of life and death.
Last month, the Legislature passed and the governor signed House Bill 4138, directing state and local police agencies to implement policies like those found in this proposed ordinance. Our city ordinance would codify a policy of trust grounded in transparency and backstopped by accountability in cases where that trust is misplaced or abused…