Mayor Ted Wheeler Is Still Trying to Dismantle the 48-Hour Rule for Police Who Kill

Wheeler won election based on his promise to dismantle the rule that allows police 48 hours before an interview in cases involving deadly force.

Portland City Council (Thomas Teal)
By Rachel Monahan

Mayor Ted Wheeler announced plans today to try to reinstate prompt internal interviews with Portland Police Bureau officers who use deadly force.

Wheeler won reelection in part on a promise to get rid of the 48-hour rule, the waiting period before such interviews that had been enshrined in the police contract, but even before he entered office, City Hall struck the rule from the contract as part of deal that gave officers substantial raises.

Last week, Wheeler acknowledged in a statement that the district attorney and the Oregon Department of Justice had determined that internal interviews could not take place during any criminal investigation, in effect reinstating a waiting period, and one that could last months.

But Wheeler today announced plans to pass an ordinance to wall off employment-related investigations from criminal investigations. And in order to make sure that ordinance will pass legal muster, the city will immediately seek a court ruling on its validity before it goes into effect.

"I oppose the 48-Hour Rule. Officers who wrongly use deadly force should no longer wear a badge," said Wheeler in a statement. "The previous Council paid a steep price to eliminate the rule and I want it gone forever."

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