Oregon Public Broadcasting

Portland's Police Bureau has a new plan aimed at reducing cases of racial profiling. As April Baer reports, a meeting this week offers the public a chance to learn more  and ask questions about the plan.

Chief Rosie Sizer says one way officers track their performance is to see how and where unsuccessful searches happen to people of  color.

The hope is that more targeted observational techniques will yield fewer fruitless searches of blacks and Latinos.

Sizer says she knows civilians may use different measuring sticks. But in her mind, there's room for progress by both standards.

Rosie Sizer   "I think the discussion of racial profiling or bias in police decision-making is often at the extremes. 'It never happens', or 'It always happens'. And the longer that discussion ranges from one poll to the other, the less progress is made."

Sizer says she thinks the answer lies with incremental adjustments. The Bureau issued a report mid-February, calling for changes in training, engagement, and reducing unsuccessful searches.  Wednesday night's meeting at King Elementary is the public's second chance to comment on it.

Online:

Meeting info