Attorneys for the U.S. Department of Justice are urging a federal judge to approve – as it stands – the pending settlement agreement reached with the city of Portland on a package of police reforms, and not pursue amendments.
READ – Full transcript of Fairness Hearing Feb. 18-19, 2014 – Day 2 begins on p. 357 (PDF, 1.4MB)
The court does not need to conclude that the settlement represents “the optimal outcome for all parties,” but that it’s “fair, adequate and reasonable,” in resolving the federal findings that Portland police used excessive force against people with mental illness, according to the federal government’s post-hearing brief filed in U.S. District Court on Tuesday.
“The United States acknowledges that the Agreement is principally designed to address issues in its investigation…and that many community members wished that remedies went even further,” wrote Adrian L. Brown, assistant U.S. Attorney on behalf of the federal government. ” However, as acknowledged by the AMA Coalition and others in the community, this Agreement provides a foundation upon which further change can be established.” …Continue reading at OregonLive.com