There’s a story in this week’s paper about a new complaints procedure for Portland’s rent-a-cops. SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: RENT-A-COP/REAL COP…

Since the news moves fast, you’re going need to know what the story says before tonight, so here’s a preview:

Rent-a-Cops Get New Complaints Procedure

The mayor’s office has asked the Portland Business Alliance to create an official complaints procedure for its rent-a-cop firm, Portland Patrol Inc (PPI), in response to community concerns over lack of oversight.

“We were getting questions about not having a way to complain,” explains Maria Rubio, the mayor’s public safety policy manager.

PPI officers patrol Old Town and downtown dressed like real cops [“Trust Me, I’m A Rent-a-Cop,” Feature, May 3]. Many of them carry guns, and they have issued more than 1100 park exclusions since last November. But there has been no public complaints procedure since the private security firm started its patrols in 1998. Now, the PBA has apparently drafted one and given it to the mayor’s office.

According to Rubio, PPI officers will give out business cards to people who wish to make a complaint, and the firm will provide the mayor’s office on a quarterly basis with a list of all the complaints it has received, and how they were resolved. The first of these complaint lists is due next month and will be public record.

PPI head John Hren has refused comment, while the mayor’s office and the PBA were unable to furnish the Mercury with a copy of PPI’s complaints procedure by press time.

Police oversight activists say it’s too early to tell if the new policy goes far enough.

“I’m glad the message is getting through to the city that there needs to be accountability for anyone with the power to police,” says Alejandro Queral of the Northwest Constitutional Rights Center. “But I won’t be able to comment beyond that until we know how the disciplinary process is being conducted, and whether there are any consequences to it.”

“The fact that the city has asked for this is a good sign,” says Dan Handelman of activist group Portland Copwatch. “Considering community activists have been on them about this for some time.”

Since we went to press last night, Street Roots has managed to get hold of the complaints procedure, and has this to say:

Offering a card to someone who believes their civil rights are being violated and having the Portland Business Alliance offer a quarterly report is NOT public oversight and transparency.

The card is a step in the right direction, but the people of Portland deserve a direct line to City Hall for oversight and transparency of any private agencies that does business on public lands – especially in the case of the Portland Business Alliance who has shown a history of advocating for institutionalizing laws that violate the human and civil rights of poor people.

Street Roots also accuses the PBA of spinning “half truths” to city council about its relationship with the Portland Police Bureau when it signed a deal to buy off three city cops last week. Tsk tsk. Both the mayor’s office and the PBA must try harder when it comes to oversight for the city’s rent-a-cops.