The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) has created and published a statewide, online database of DPSST Professional Standards actions in accordance with HB 4207 which passed during the 2020 Special Session of the Oregon Legislative Assembly.

The database will include the names of all public safety officers who have been the subject of a DPSST certification action, their employing agency (when applicable), and a link to the DPSST investigation and Final Order once issued (which will include a description of the facts underlying the denial, suspension or revocation action) occurring on or after June 30, 2020 (The effective date of HB 4207). A sample case has been uploaded as a placeholder.

For broader transparency, a listing of all individuals who were the subject of a DPSST professional standards action prior to June, 2020 has also been published, along with a list of open, pending DPSST professional standards cases.

The database can be found on-line at https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/cj/pages/professionalStandards.aspx

DPSST’s Director Eriks Gabliks said “Today’s announcement is the latest step in Oregon’s ongoing efforts to strengthen trust between law enforcement and community.  DPSST, in partnership with the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training (BPSST), over the past few years has implemented a number of transparency initiatives including the implementation of Information Resource Inquiry System (IRIS) to show officer training, certification and employment history, the installation of equipment allowing livestreaming of Board and Policy Committee meetings, the publishing basic curriculums on DPSST webpage and the continued monthly publication of DPSST Ethics Bulletins as an educational resource.

Additional information relating to DPSST’s professional standards processes, instructions on how to make a public records request, links to previous Board and Policy Committee meeting minutes and information on how to subscribe to receive notifications from DPSST, to include agency updates, meeting minutes and public comment opportunities are also available at https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst

# # # DPSST Web Ex Sessions On-Line: Basic Police Training, Police Use-of-Force Training, Police Accountability # # #

The tragic death of George Floyd due to the actions of Minneapolis police officers has led to lots of discussions, both in Oregon and around the nation, regarding police training and accountability.  The actions of the Minneapolis police officers are inexcusable.  While DPSST has always actively engaged with stakeholders, it was of the utmost importance for us to pause our work as we mourned the death of Mr. Floyd and listened to the questions and concerns being raised about policing in our state and nation.  Many of the questions within our state have been regarding the training and accountability of Oregon law enforcement officers. 

To address these questions, to share information, and to answer questions, last month DPSST held a number of virtual sessions specifically for local community leaders, elected officials, state legislators, and media.  One session addressed Oregon’s criminal justice professional standards system.  Another focused specifically on police use of force training in Oregon offered by DPSST.  And the last covered the basic police training program offered at DPSST to all newly hired city, county, state, tribal, and university law enforcement professionals.  Participants had the ability to ask questions of DPSST staff during each of these sessions.

Each of the sessions were recorded and have been posted for viewing on the DPSST webpage at https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/CJ/Pages/InformationalFiles.aspx   While each of the presentations covered the same information, each generated different questions based on the background and specific interests of those participating.  We have also posted the responses to the questions that were asked and are in the process of completing this document as we gather the information for those questions that need an answer.

## Background Information on the BPSST and DPSST ##

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) operates the Oregon Public Safety Academy which spans more than 235 acres in Salem. The Academy is nationally recognized for its innovative training programs and active stakeholder involvement.  Eriks Gabliks serves as the Director and Darren Bucich, Chief of McKenzie Fire & Rescue serves as the Chair of the Board. The department implements minimum standards established by the Board for the training and certification of more than 40,000 city, tribal, county and state law enforcement officers, corrections officers, parole and probation officers, fire service personnel, telecommunicators, emergency medical dispatchers and private security providers.

DPSST provides training to more than 25,000 students each year throughout Oregon and at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem, certifies qualified officers at various levels from basic through executive; certifies qualified instructors; and reviews and accredits training programs throughout the state based on standards established by the Board.