Yesterday evening the League of Women Voters held a public forum on Police Accountability in Portland. Representatives from the Independent Police Review Board, the Citizens Review Committee, Portland Copwatch and the Northwest Constitutional Rights Center presented their assessments of the Independent Police Review board - I-P-R, and discussed the recently-issued report and recommendations presented by independent consultant Eileen Luna-Firebaugh. When asked by audience members if the IPR had any definite changes they could undertake, City Auditor Gary Blackmer insisted the process was working, but a staff increase would cut down on delays. Alejandro Queral of the Northwest Constitutional Rights Center had several recommendations, but especially encouraged independent police investigations. The City Auditor encouraged the audience to find his response to Luna-Firebaugh's report on the City website: www.portlandonline.com
- KBOO