Accountability and Transparency in Local Law Enforcement

While federal agents pull protesters into unmarked vans just an hour and a half to the north, the City Club of Eugene is bringing together some of the most influential voices in Eugene law enforcement to discuss police transparency and accountability. The first of this two-part series, “Accountability and Transparency in Local Law Enforcement,” is noon Friday, July 24, and will look at the current system of police oversight and potential deficits and opportunities for reform.

Included on the three-person panel will be Eugene Police Auditor Mark Gissiner, whose office is responsible for investigating all Eugene police misconduct reports. “Between us and the Civilian Review Board, we are the only ones on the outside that bear witness to what the police are doing and whether it’s right or wrong,” he says. While the police auditor’s office investigates misconduct, it plays no role in disciplinary actions. In Oregon, all disciplinary histories of police officers are confidential.

Gissiner says he is excited to discuss ways both his office and the police can improve transparency and accountability in law enforcement.

University of Oregon professor Michael Hames-García and Black activist Isiah Wagoner will also be on the panel. Wagoner was the victim of a hit-and-run last month at a Black Unity children’s march.

The second program, “Alternatives to Policing: Reform in Law Enforcement” featuring Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner, Eugene-Springfield NAACP President Ibrahim Coulibaly and CAHOOTS co-founder David Zeiss, is noon July 31.

The discussions are at noon and will be live streamed on the City Club of Eugene Facebook Page. — Joseph Cappelletti

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!