Remember last week, I couldn’t get an interview with John Minnis, the director of the Department for Public Safety Standards and Training in Salem? I wanted to ask Minnis about this story, specifically why his background-checking agency had allowed a man to carry a gun in downtown Portland as a security guard despite his murky background, but Minnis’ spokesman, Jeanine Hohn, said “We believe the agency is neither obligated nor obliged to defend its background process.” Well, that has State Senator Vicki Walker (D-Eugene) pissed. She emailed Hohn yesterday:

Jeanine: I was contacted by Matt Davis at the Portland Mercury this afternoon. He expressed concern about the case of Mike Anglin, and the fact that the background check performed by DPSST did not pick up his outstanding warrant for a DUI, and a Failure to Appear. His concern is that consequently Mr. Anglin was allowed to carry a weapon in the performance of his duty for a security firm in Portland. Your reponse is cut and pasted below, taken from the blog link, also listed below.

I have my own concern about the particular comment you wrote in your email: We believe the agency is neither obligated nor obliged to defend its background process.

I’m not sure what was said in your telephone conversation, but it seems to me that as a public agency you should be required to disclose your process to the public, particularly if it is a statutorily directed process. Mr. Davis is free to disagree with what the legislature has directed and seek change, as you indicate, but he should be given the information that he has asked for…and perhaps he was. The citizens of this state own their government and they have a right to ask questions.

Since I do not know the statutory authority for background checks on persons applying for employment at private security firms, I would like you to share that information with me so that I can make an informed decision about Mr. Davis’s complaint. I would also like to know whether the person in question, Mr. Anglin, received a license or certificate of some kind from DPSST, or whether DPSST is just the servicing agency for obtaining the background check. If so, under what circumstances would DPSST revoke the license?

Thank you for your prompt response to my inquiry.

Sen. Vicki Walker

Exciting. Walker, who is a court reporter by profession, has a reputation for grabbing hold of an issue and sticking with it. I’m pleased she’s taken up this challenge.

WALKER: Fighting for accountability…

We’ll keep you updated.