Politics May 19, 2011 at 4:00 am

Mike Reese Didn't Grow Up Dreaming He'd Be a Cop. But he's the guy who just led Portland's police force through its most "tumultuous" year in memory. We talk shootings, mental health, and Tasers—and how next year might be better.

Comments

1
I wonder what he thinks about the supposed rivalry between the Police and Fireman... and did that play a part in Leonards fueds with Sizer.

And why do the cops get all the shit work while the Sheriffs Dept gets the cake assignments. LIBRARY DUTY?? I can't believe we pay for this.
Last weekend I went to Hagg Lake for the first time in years. $5 to get in now. Beautiful day. There is actually a Sheriffs boathouse with 2 motorboats there now. There was 4 uniformed Sheriffs there sitting on a picnic table looking so very cool with their shades on.
I can't think of any other lake I've been to where I've seen Sheriiffs there. Park Rangers, sure.... but not Sheriffs.
A closer eye needs to be paid to the budget of these guys.
(sorry Sheriifs...I've seen the inside of your forensics unit in LA - impressive. More weapons than the LAPD's, right? just questioning budget priorities in hard times.)
2
The sheriff's budget in this county should basically be slashed in half. Multiple sheriffs providing "security" AT THE LIBRARY (?!?!) is beyond absurd.
3
The problem of police shootings is complex, but certainly at the core of it is a public that can't make up its mind about what they want from the police. If the police don't show up to handle a suicidal citizen and that citizen takes out family members or neighbors in a murder/suicide act, then police are criticized for not doing their job. If police show and their presence triggers a gunfight, then police are accused of precipitating the event. Certainly, police need to exercise good tactics when they show, but the public needs to understand that even the best trained pros can't control everything. We seem bent on not acknowledging the reality that sometimes tragedies will occur despite the best of intentions and interventions. We cling to the TV ending mentality that assures us that all things are possible and the world is predictable and safe. When things end with a death, we point fingers and call attorneys. Well, life is messy folks. Sorry, it just is. We should insist that police continue to train, but we need to grow up and also admit that our fantasies of okie dokie outcomes need a bit of trimming.
4
Police are trained for a very specific task. When that's done, it's time to step aside and let those who are better trained and equipped for the situation do their jobs. Police should not be worrying about politics or social work if it detracts from their ability to perform work that is more relevant to the Bureau's mission. The city, county, and state employ many specialists to take care of public relations and mental health concerns. I'd be interested to learn at what point the leadership of Portland Police decide to cede control to the real professionals in a situation and go back to doing police work.
5
JOAN WAGAR WAS POISONING ME WHEN I WAS A PLASMA DONOR AND AN UNDER COVER OFFICER NAMED ERIC CARLSON GAVE HER PERMISSION TO POISON ME TO DEATH! ERIC CARLSON WAS HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH MY WIFE AT THE TIME! BECAUSE OF THIS NO ONE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WANTS ME AS A WITNESS AND AUTHORITY'S ACTIVELY INTERFERED WITH ME GETTING MEDICAL TREATMENT! ERIC CARLSON AND JOAN WAGAR BROKE INTO MY HOME AND PUT AUDIO DEATH THREATS IN MY APARTMENT AND AUTHORITY'S PRETEND IT'S NOT REPORTED! ERIC CARLSON AND JOAN WAGAR MURDERED DONNA MINOR IN 2008! ERIC CARLSON CONFESSED TO JOAN WAGAR IN 2007 HE WAS FRAMING ME FOR HIS CRIMES AND HE ADMITTED HE WAS FRAMING ME OVER A MISSING RUNAWAY! ERIC CARLSON AND HIS BRO PAY LITTLE CHILDREN FOR SEX! http://www.scribd.com/doc/53065984/JoanEri…
6
The City, County and State employ far too many 'specialists'.
I trust the Police more than these charlatans.
7
"The City, County and State employ far too many 'specialists'.
I trust the Police more than these charlatans."


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Actually, the police ARE employees of the city, county, and state.

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