Portland council debates civilian police review board ordinance, raises questions about union bargaining and eligibility rules

Portland officials discussed a draft ordinance to implement a voter-approved civilian police review board at a public workshop, with council members, corporation counsel and associate counsel, and the police chief examining questions about eligibility rules, training, and whether portions of the ordinance must be negotiated with police unions.

The draft implements a charter amendment approved by Portland voters in November 2022 to add a civilian police review board to the city charter. Attorney Rachel Millett, associate corporation counsel, told the council the ordinance has been through multiple public workshops and negotiations with the city’s police unions and that the current draft reflects council direction to date.

Why it matters: Councilors said the board’s structure and eligibility rules—particularly a proposed waiting period before former city or school employees can serve—will shape public trust, access and representation for communities affected by policing. Councilors also pressed corporation counsel about whether specific provisions could trigger mandatory collective bargaining with unions, potentially delaying implementation.

Millett summarized the ordinance’s history and process, noting, “Pursuant to that charter amendment, the city council is tasked with drafting and approving an ordinance that would create this new civilian police review board.” She said the draft incorporated prior council feedback and that the Police Citizen Review Subcommittee (PCRS) had…