Volunteer (Non-Paid) Position - Police Review Board/Citizen Review Committee Joint Application

The Position

This is a joint application for both the Police Review Board and the Citizen Review Committee. You are welcome and encouraged to apply for a seat on either body or both.

APPLY HERE: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/01a188fd0f7b7d5cb3703b009f9300bb

ABOUT THE POLICE REVIEW BOARD: The Police Review Board (PRB) is an advisory body to the Chief of the Portland Police Bureau. The Board makes recommendations to the Chief regarding findings and discipline and may make recommendations regarding the adequacy and completeness of an investigation. It may also make policy or training recommendations to the Chief.

The Board reviews incidents and complaints of misconduct about Portland Police Bureau members in the following situations: those that may result in suspension of pay, instances when officers discharge their weapons, and in custody deaths. Other cases can be referred for Board review by the Chief, high-ranking Police supervisors, or the Independent Police Review Director.

The Board is made up of Police personnel, a representative of the Independent Police Review (IPR), and community members. Members hear evidence presented from a number of perspectives and vote on recommendations that go to the Chief.

Service on the PRB is limited to two three-year terms.

ABOUT THE CITIZEN REVIEW COMMITTEE: The eleven-member Citizen Review Committee (CRC) was created in 2001 to help improve police accountability, promote higher standards of police services, and increase public confidence. The CRC is an independent advisory body to the City of Portland’s Independent Police Review (IPR) and the Portland Police Bureau (PPB). IPR is responsible for the civilian oversight of the PPB.

The CRC supports the City by:

• Holding public meetings to hear community and Police Bureau member appeals of police misconduct investigations;
• Listening to community concerns regarding police conduct;
• Participating in trainings and activities to increase cultural awareness and responsiveness;
• Reviewing Police Bureau policies and procedures;
• Advising IPR on complaint handling processes;
• Periodically serving on the Police Review Board, an advisory body to the Chief of Police that makes recommendations as to findings and propose officer discipline of sworn members.

Citizen Review Committee Members are expected to:

• Receive training on ethical and effective official service to the residents and to the City of Portland, and then maintain these standards of conduct.
• Engage in training and other activities to learn about policing;
• Maintain high standards of confidentiality;
• Act as an appeal body member and become familiar with the relevant City Code and protocols in conducting appeal hearings and other duties;
• Interact with elected officials;
• Prepare and actively participate in CRC meetings
• Prepare and actively participate in Police Review Board meetings when called.

Time Commitment:

• Citizen Review Committee members serve renewable three-year terms and may not exceed eight years of total continuous service.
• The CRC meets quarterly. Meetings are scheduled at times convenient to the Committee, and members can meet more often, and as necessary, to conduct CRC business. Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the operating procedures of the group.
• Some members serve on workgroups which also meet between full CRC meetings for 1-2 hours each. When members serve on a Police Review Board, this is an additional time commitment required to review misconduct investigations.

CRC members are appointed by Portland City Council to serve three-year terms. The appointment process includes a criminal background check for finalists.

To Qualify

POLICE REVIEW BOARD:

Community Members of the PRB

• Candidates are recommended by the Independent Police Review (IPR) and confirmed by City Council to serve as needed.
• Community volunteers are appointed for a term of no more than three years, but may serve two full terms plus the remainder of any unexpired vacancy they may be appointed to fill.

Expectations of Candidates

• Must be capable of fair consideration;
• Must not have real or perceived conflict of interest in a case of the involved agencies;
• Must pass a criminal background check performed by the Police Bureau;
• Must demonstrate an ability to review complex investigations;
• Must demonstrate an ability to make rational and independent decisions under pressure;
• Must participate in orientation and training about Police Bureau training and policies;
• Must occasionally ride with Police officers to maintain sufficient knowledge of patrol procedures;
• Must sign confidentiality statements and uphold the tenants of those statements;
• Must be sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity and respectful of Board member differences.
• Must be a Portland, Oregon resident, business owner, work, worship or play in Portland.

CITIZEN REVIEW COMMITTEE

To be eligible to serve on a City of Portland advisory body, members must live, play, worship, go to school, or work or do business in the City of Portland. Additionally, CRC members must:

• Demonstrate ability to be impartial and objective;
• Possess sound communication and listening skills
• Lead and function well in a group;
• Be willing to make a substantial time commitment—including trainings, evening meetings, workgroup meetings, and independent review of complaint files.

What We Look For

We want people from every part of Portland here to share their voice on this committee, especially people who have not been involved before. Selection criteria shall include a record of community involvement, passing a criminal background check (performed by an agency other than the Police Bureau) and absence of any real or perceived conflict of interest. The selection committee will nominate individuals who are neutral, unbiased, and capable of making objective decisions.

Every effort is made to select qualified persons who represent the demographic and ethnic diversity of Portland. The attributes listed below are what will guide our selection process.

Required

• Availability to attend meetings and events. Able and willing to keep regular communications through e-mail, text and phone in a reasonable and timely fashion.
• Ability to prepare for meetings on their own time. The amount of preparation time may vary depending on the issues the Committee is considering. Applicants should expect to spend extra time outside the meetings on Committee business.
• Possess leadership and collaborative skills, able to work in a team setting. Willing to learn about the CRC mission and purpose and serve as an ambassador for the committee.

Willing to work with a diversity of people, in terms of age, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender, disability, culture, religious preference, etc.

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VOLUNTEER ETHICS

People who join this committee will become what we call “Public Officials,” which means that while you serve you must behave fair and ethically. We will provide training on this once you are accepted. Part of following Public Officials Ethics laws means you must tell the group when you or a relative may financially benefit (or avoid fees) by your recommendations. This is called a “Conflict of Interest.” If you tell us about potential Conflicts of Interest that does not mean you cannot serve, in fact, many committees have potential members with Conflicts of Interest. We appreciate your ethical inclusion of possible Conflicts of Interest on the form included in the application.

WE REMOVE BARRIERS

Let us know if there are barriers to your participation.

The Recruitment Process

This is a joint application for both the Police Review Board and the Citizen Review Committee. You are welcome and encouraged to apply for a seat on either body or both.

APPLY HERE: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/01a188fd0f7b7d5cb3703b009f9300bb

Applications are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, December 6, 2026.

To talk with someone about this opportunity or to receive assistance completing the application. please contact the staff liaison at ipr@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-0146.

VOLUNTARY AND CONFIDENTIAL DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

The City is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Completing the demographic information on the application is voluntary, but we encourage you to provide that information. The City uses this information to help ensure that appointments represent a broad cross-section of community. Your information will not be used during the recruitment nor the selection process. State and federal law prohibit use of this information to discriminate against you. Email advisorybodies@portlandoregon.gov if you have any questions about the demographic survey.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY

We welcome you to browse the Police Review Board’s website to learn more: https://www.portland.gov/police/divisions/prb-reports and to browse our website to learn more about IPR: https://www.portland.gov/ipr

We also welcome you to browse our website to learn more about the Citizen Review Committee: https://www.portland.gov/ipr/crc