MEDIA ADVISORY
CONTACT: PPBPIO@portlandoregon.gov if you plan to attend


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Faith Leaders and Law Enforcement Officials Collaborate to Enhance Police-Community Relations at the Portland Launch of the OneCOP National Initiative

*** Prominent Portland Clergy To Get Dramatic Glimpse of "Life
Behind the Badge" During Police Training Exercises ***

WHAT: At 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 16, 2019, a group of prominent Portland-area and national faith leaders and law enforcement officials will gather in Portland, Oregon for a two-day event that will serve as the Portland launch of the new, nationwide One Congregation One Precinct (OneCOP) initiative. OneCOP connects local law enforcement with local faith institutions to prepare them to serve as liaisons between the community and the police. The goal is to improve police-community relations, to make communities safer, and to utilize congregations as places of mass gathering to build mutual respect, combat bias, and alleviate tensions surrounding police-involved incidents.

Faith leaders "will step into the shoes of police officers" by participating in private interactive training exercises such as diffusion of active shooter scenarios, shoot/don't-shoot video simulations, and ride-alongs to better understand the role police officers play in the community. The faith leaders will also engage in discussions with the police officers that serve their communities to build trust and develop crime fighting, prevention, and solving activities that meet the specific needs and demographics of each area.


WHEN: 10:00 a.m. -- 3:00 p.m. ~ Wednesday, January 16, 2019

WHAT: Faith Leader-Police Training Demonstration

WHERE: Portland Police Training Facility, 14912 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230

* Media crews are welcome to conduct interviews about the event at 2:45. If interested, email the PIO at PPBPIO@portlandoregon.gov to coordinate.

WHEN: 12:00 Noon -- Thursday January 17, 2019

WHAT: One Congregation One Precinct (OneCOP) Portland Launch Luncheon

WHERE: Columbia Conf. Center @ Holiday Inn Airport, 8439 NE Columbia Boulevard, Portland, OR 97220

At 12:00 until 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 17th, OneCOP will host an invitation-only luncheon sponsored by Motorola Solutions and AT&T that will celebrate the launch of the trailblazing program and feature leading voices in the law enforcement and faith communities. Last month, Portland, Gresham and Multnomah County law enforcement leaders sent personal letters of invitation to all of the senior/head faith leaders who preside over houses of worship.

* Media crews are welcome to observe or conduct interviews at the event. If interested, email the PIO at PPBPIO@portlandoregon.gov to coordinate.


###PPB###