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Committee refers mayoral appointments to Portland Committee on Community Engaged Policing to full council
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Summary
The committee voted 4-0 to refer the mayor's slate of six appointments and two reappointments to the Portland Committee on Community Engaged Policing (PCCEP/PSAP) to the full council with a recommendation for confirmation; nominees described lived experience, mental-health backgrounds and community engagement work.
The Community and Public Safety Committee voted on Nov. 18 to refer the mayor’s appointments and reappointments to the Portland Committee on Community Engaged Policing to the full City Council with a recommendation for confirmation.
Councilor Smith moved to refer the report; Councilor Murillo seconded. The clerk called the roll and Councilors Zimmerman and Smith, Councilor Murillo and Chair Kunal each voted "Aye," passing the motion 4-0. The chair said the full council will consider the referral at its Dec. 3 meeting at 9:30 a.m.
Program manager Dory Grabinski presented background on PCCEP (also referred to during the meeting as PSAP), explaining it is a 13-member advisory body created under the settlement agreement to institutionalize community voice in policing policy and engagement. Grabinski said 60 applications were reviewed this cycle and introduced six new nominees and two reappointment candidates. The candidates who spoke described motivations grounded in lived experience, public-safety and mental-health practice, and community advocacy. Among those introducing themselves were Vanessa Perry (recorded statement; physician assistant student with a background in clinical mental health), Caitlin Davidson (school bus driver and parent), Andrew Hopp (data and lived-experience advocate), Fariah Vasquez Potter (Native American Youth and Family Center coordinator), Pastor Robin Wisner (longtime civic volunteer) and Fosika Vakela (student and Albina Ministerial Alliance steering committee member).
Public commenters Mark Porras (Portland Cop Watch) and Edith Gillis spoke in support of the nominees and urged broader oversight reforms and additional transparency measures. "PCCEP is an important avenue for community members to provide feedback on how they want or don't want to be policed," Porras said.
The committee’s discussion commended the applicants’ diversity of perspectives and urged nominees to bring an open mind to the committee’s work. The motion to refer passed; the item will be placed on the full council consent or regular calendar for confirmation on Dec. 3.
