Community advocates and former officials urge speed, independent counsel and public involvement at CBPA’s first meeting

Portland — Community leaders, former public officials and advocacy groups used the CBPA’s public comment period to press the board for speed, public involvement and independent legal support as it begins forming its governance and hiring a director.

Joanne Hardesty, former city commissioner, told the new board it should “use your power in a way that really builds community” and not be intimidated about recommending policy or bringing in national experts. Her remarks emphasized the long history of police-accountability work in Portland and urged the new board to draw on that experience.

Yume Delgado, chair of the Citizen Review Committee and a previous member of the Police Accountability Commission, warned members not to expect immediate casework once staff are hired. “This process will take 6 to 24 months from when you staff the OCPA to when you hear your first case,” Delgado said, advising the board to seek briefings from subject-matter experts and to collect community testimony before votes.

Multiple speakers called for independent legal counsel. Philip Chachka of Portland Copwatch suggested the charter allows for outside counsel so the board can obtain a second legal opinion alongside city attorneys. Community organizer Simab Hussaini and others raised procurement-equity concerns about using an existing city-contracted vendor for the director search, urging transparent outreach and broader posting of the job.

“Modus, for instance. That was a red flag for me because, typically, you want to be able to ask your city before coming to this time to set up an RFP,” Simab Hussaini said, urging careful vetting and equitable vendor outreach.

Councilors and advocates who spoke — including Councilor Sameer Khanal and Councilor Candace Avalos — offered support and resources from council offices, transition documents and an invitation to provide historical context. Several commenters suggested community forums for finalists and public-facing hiring steps, and recommended subcommittees so the full 21-member board is not overwhelmed by administrative work.

What the board heard:

- Calls for independent counsel and protections against conflicts of interest. - Requests that major hiring steps include public input such as surveys, community forums or candidate meet-and-greets. - Concerns about vendor pools and equitable procurement practices when using pre-vetted city contractors. - Advice to form subcommittees to divide work on budget, bylaws and director recruitment.

What happens next: Board staff agreed to invite Modus to present and to secure written proposals from proposed facilitators; members asked that the recruitment process include opportunities for public input. Board members also asked staff to provide preparatory materials in advance of future meetings so members can review contracts, budget details and facilitator scopes before voting.