LOC News
DPSST Offers Webinars for Elected Officials
The Oregon Department of Public Safety and Training (DPSST) has announced a series of webinars for policy makers on the training of police officers. The webinars will cover basic training, professional standards and use of force. In announcing these opportunities, the DPSST director also issued the following statement:
The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) serves two important roles in our state’s criminal justice system. The first, establishing minimum state standards for training and certification of more than 41,000 public and private safety professionals. The second, providing a comprehensive basic training program for all newly hired law enforcement professionals, and supporting professional development by offering advanced and leadership training opportunities. DPSST accomplishes its work in partnership with the 24-member Board on Public Safety Standards and Training (BPSST or Board) which is made up of various public safety stakeholders including a citizen member, city manager, and district attorney.
The tragic death of George Floyd due to the actions of Minneapolis police officers has led to lots of discussions, both in Oregon and around the nation, regarding police training and accountability. The actions of the Minneapolis police officers are inexcusable. While DPSST has always actively engaged with stakeholders, it was of the utmost importance for us to pause our work as we mourned the death of Mr. Floyd and to listen to the questions and concerns being raised about policing in our state and nation. Many of the questions within our state have been regarding the training and accountability of Oregon law enforcement officers.
To address these questions, to share information, and to answer questions, DPSST will hold three virtual sessions later this month for local elected officials and their staff. One session will address Oregon’s criminal justice professional standards system. Another will focus specifically on police use of force training in Oregon. Another will address the basic police training program offered at DPSST to all newly hired city, county, state, tribal, and university law enforcement professionals. Participants will have the ability to ask questions of DPSST staff during each of these sessions.
Below please find information on each of these sessions and we invite you to participate. Each session will be recorded so that it is available for review by those unable to attend.
Local Elected Officials Sessions
Basic Police Training
June 23 at 11:00 a.m.
Register for the webinar
Professional Standards
June 24 at 9:00 a.m.
Register for the webinar
Police Use of Force Training
June 24 at 11:00 a.m.
Register for the webinar
Contact: Scott Winkels, Lobbyist - swinkels@orcities.org
Last Updated 6/19/20