The mayor of Portland, Ore., wants his police officers to rejoin the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force — sort of. He’s offering up conditions some like. Others see them as being far too restrictive.
As you recall, the city pulled its cops out of the JTTF in 2005, citing concerns about spying on citizens and violating their rights, and breaking state and local laws. The then-mayor and police chief also were bothered that they hadn’t gotten security clearance and access to classified information.
But last November, after an FBI sting turned up a man who was plotting to blow up a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, some thought it was time to reconsider rejoining. Not all agreed. Some officials still protested.
So this week, Portland Mayor Sam Adams offered up a compromise. He wants to rejoin the JTTF with the condition that cops not get involved in the initial phase or assessment of the investigations unless there’s an imminent threat, the Oregonian newspaper reported.
Under the proposal, officers would get involved in full investigations once a credible threat is established, The Oregonian reported.
The Oregonian reported that U.S. Attorney Dwight Holton considers such a plan “unworkable.”
The Oregonian reported that Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard said he discussed the issue with the mayor a few weeks ago and wanted restrictions on what Portland cops would do on the JTTF squad.
“I did not want our police officers involved in sifting through what is or is not a threat,” Leonard said.
