By Jerry Seper
The Washington Times
PORTLAND, Ore. — A day after saying there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal civil rights charges against Portland , Ore., police officers involved in the fatal shooting of a man, the Justice Department on Wednesday said it had begun an investigation to determine whether Portland police used excessive force in carrying out their duties.
Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez said the department, in accordance with the pattern or practice provision of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, will seek to determine whether Portland officers have systemically violated the Constitution or federal law and whether the Portland Police Bureau had made efforts to ensure compliance with federal law.
“Make no mistake, our investigation will be independent, it will be fair, and it will be thorough, but it also will be collaborative,” Mr. Perez said. “We must learn and listen from all affected stakeholders. We’re not here to fix the blame, we’re here to fix the problem.”
Mr. Perez said the inquiry was prompted by what he called a significant increase in police shootings over the past 18 months, the majority of which involved people with mental illness. He said the full review is to reduce crime, to ensure respect for the Constitution and to ensure public confidence in law enforcement.
Portland Mayor Sam Adams said the city had asked for the investigation and welcomed it.
“This is a difficult situation. We are humble in the knowledge that we don’t have it all figured out,” he said.
Aaron Campbell, 25, was killed by police in northeast Portland in January 2010, shot in the back with an AR15 rifle by Officer Ron Frashour, who told investigators he thought Mr. Campbell was suicidal and was reaching for a gun.
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