House considers public listing of all police complaints

By Terry Murry on Tuesday, March 9th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – Oregon House Bill 3145 is the subject of work sessions this week at the committee level. It would require that the Department of Safety Standards and Training create a public database that lists all complaints filed against police officers.

Further, the database would also list whether any discipline was issued with details and would also include resignations or firings of officers. Pendleton Police Chief Chuck Byram sees complications if it passes.

“Unions have to get involved with that,” he said. “There needs to be some critical thought put into how we’re going to roll out a data base like this.”

Byram also predicts the bill will be tested in court because it contradicts existing Oregon law.

“Personnel records are exempt unless there’s a compelling public interest need, and that’s usually decided by a judge,” he said. “I’m all about a transparency, but at the same time if we’re just trying to publicly shame police officers, I’m against that.”