Adams said he wants to take the police bureau in a “new and different direction” this morning, announcing that he intends to fire Rosie Sizer, take control of the bureau from police commissioner Dan Saltzman, and promote East Precinct Commander Mike Reese to new chief.
- ADAMS AND NEW CHIEF, MIKE REESE
Saltzman has done his “able best,” said Adams. “But frustration and mutual skepticism remains, and it is my responsibility to address that.”
“Despite the extraordinary efforts of the precious few who carry the badge the relationship between the people of Portland and the police officers is not what it needs to be,” said Adams, saying citizens express concern about “the fear of their own police force.”
He said there is an “obvious communications problem” in the bureau, “and above all it is a leader’s responsibility to ensure that all parties connect.”
Adams will bring “a strong work ethic, active management, and a track record of getting my bureaus back on track” to his management of the bureau, he said. The reassignment is permanent, he said.
Adams said Mike Reese understands the “declining safety net” in dealing with mental health and social services best of all, as the former Central Precinct Commander. Adams said he appreciated Reese’s “recognition of reality,” and added that the cuts to the state funding of these issues are “alarming, frustrating, and challenging.” But “this is a can-do police chief, and I’m going to be a can-do police commissioner,” said the mayor.
Reese said he was “humbled and honored” to take on the new assignment. He pledged to work to make “our policies and culture reflect the values of our community.” It’s his top priority to “reengage the citizens of Portland in a discussion about how we want our bureau to function in these difficult situations,” he continued. “I believe we should have the community engaged in a discussion of all of our policies.”
Adams paid tribute to Rosie Sizer, who will retire on a full chief’s pension. But…”too often the reforms have come in reaction to failures at the bureau,” said Adams. “I want to put the bureau on a more proactive path and I think Chief Reese is the person to do that.”
Adams said he made the decision last night. “I have to put together a budget under state law, and that forced my decision.”
Dan Saltzman emerged from Adams’ office stony-faced before the press conference. Are you still the police chief, he was asked? “Let’s just wait until the mayor’s press conference,” he responded, heading downstairs to his office. He faces a battle for reelection in six days.
“Commissioner Saltzman was able to accomplish three historic changes,” said Adams. “He was the first police commissioner to invite the Federal Government in to investigate all operations of the police bureau for any intended or unintentional bias. We strengthened independent police oversight led by Commissioner Leonard, and we staffed up.”
Update, 12:35: Saltzman is not in his office, even though he told reporters he’d be available after the press conference, so I’m trying to get a comment from his chief of staff, Brendan Finn. Apparently Sizer came down to Saltzman’s office before meeting with the mayor, and said to the front desk person, “rumor is, I’m being fired.” I got that from Jim Redden at the Tribune, who broke this story first today.
“I was very surprised,” said Chief Reese, of the phone call he got last night. “I think we have a crisis we need to resolve,” he continued.
I asked Commander Dave Benson with the Portland Police Association what Reese’s relationship is like with the union. “I’ve known Rosie for years, she was a great police chief and very honorable,” he said. “I’ve known Mike for years, also, and he’s honorable, smart, and very energetic. He’ll be a fine chief and he has a lot of support from the rank and file, which I think is important.”
Update, 12:47: Finn had no comment, but said Saltzman will be back by 2pm.
Update, 12:53: “I’m glad that the mayor has finally shown leadership,” says Jesse Cornett, Satlzman’s rival in the upcoming election. “Our long citywide nightmare with the Portland Police is finally over now that Dan Saltzman has been removed. It’s clear that Dan Saltzman can’t do his job—don’t re-elect him so that he can keep failing.”
Holy shitballs!!
Hijinks like this are why I always vote late.
Plus, you scooped Pitkin by 10 minutes!
I agree with Jackattak. Shitballs indeed.
I guess he didn’t appreciate being called out twice on the front of the Metro section today.
This is tough on Saltzman right before the election….
I’m sure with Adams in charge, there will be no more “mutual skepticism.”
I also like how he referred to the police as “precious,” maybe I’ll try that one in my next interaction with them.
I have not filled out my ballot yet, I was going to vote Cornett because I was pissed at Saltzman over his handling of the police, now I am tempted to reconsider. Am I dumb?
Tough on Saltzman? Hell, I woulda voted for him if I thought he’d just be quietly drilling his big pipe for another couple years. In my mind, the best thing Jesse has going for him is not wanting the PPB. I wonder how this will effect a potential runoff.
@RosieSizer ur fired. get out #pdx #greenjobs #bikes #vote4cogen
Adams is just another shitty corporate pimp of a boss who fires employees weeks before they are eligible for retirement.
ooooh what a coup!
Wow! Overdue and kinda obvious, but still, wow. I think this actually hurts Cornett, because “I’m gonna kick the PPB’s ass, and Saltzman won’t.” seemed to be his main platform.
“to the haters”, Saltzman was just fired as police commissioner for basically being incompentent and letting the bureau get out of control.
Why would a demonstration of incompetence make you more likely to keep him in office? This is probably an indication of how he handles other bureaus as well, don’t you think?
@Reign of Adams
Did you actually read or just assume he was firing her just before her retirement? Did you miss this sentence? “Adams paid tribute to Rosie Sizer, who will retire on a full chief’s pension.”
Sounds like putting someone out to pasture early to me.
Holy moly!! Adams grew a pair, eh? Amazing! Reese seems like a smart guy with great experience and the ability to lead. Everything I’ve heard about him, he is fairly well received in the community of citizens and police officers.
Matt, things are about to get more interesting. Sure you don’t wanna reconsider moving to NOLA?
This is the flip side of that “write like you’re about to leave town” thing. When you actually *are* about to leave town, the shit hits the fan.
@Mizzzzzz You’re right. Of all the people Adams could have chosen to lead the bureau, I couldn’t speak more highly of Mike Reese. He’s an excellent officer, a good and decent human being, and sincerely, I think he’ll be good for the bureau.
But no, I still wanna move to NOLA 🙂
Daaaaaaaaang. I wonder what pushed Sam over the edge–why’d he make the decision *last night* of all nights? Wonder if it was Rosie’s self-serving statement re. James Chasse yesterday, which was completely infuriating.
As for the Saltzman/Cornett thing–Dan sucked at running PPB, and he got fired. How that would convince anyone to change their vote from Cornett to Saltzman is beyond me.
Does anyone seriously believe that Mayor McPhotoOp having control of the Bureau is going to result in any serious systemic changes? The guy is going to be gone as soon as this story is off the front pages.
What everyone else said…
But…
Why is the bookcase next to Adams empty? Can’t Powells donate some encyclopedia sets to fill that up with some color?
Sam doesn’t read freakin’ books, Sam eats police officers for relaxation.
Cornett’s statement sounds so…help me out with the word I’m looking for, Blogtownies….
As for the bookcase, let’s fill it up with old Tom Hanks movies on VHS.
“Our long citywide nightmare with the Portland Police is finally over”
That may be a bit optimistic, Jesse.
I will say this is the first thing Adams has done that looks like a leader to me. I wouldn’t call it decisive, because he’s been pretty quiet during a lot of police controversy over the last year. But at least he’s taking some action now.
Mike Reese is going to do some serious mediation between the rank and file and Adams though.
Excellent move on Adams’ part. His patience tried our (well certainly my) patience, but he waited until the legal path was clear to move forward.
Chief Sizer has been off-tune on both Chasse and other issues for quite a while. Her outburst about minor budget cuts was ridiculous; her press release about the Chasse settlement was insulting.
Commissioner Saltzman, as he said, serves at the interest of the mayor. It’s a tough task to volunteer for – which Saltzman unwaveringly did. His best day on the job was his last. At the presser announcing the Chasse settlement he was calm, straightforward and sincere.
So I didn’t like how Saltzman handled the PPB. Now that he’s not handling the PPB, this confuses me on how to vote even more. Anyone care to offer some advice on this matter? Or do I just say “fuck it” and vote for Volm?
Adams looks bloated and pasty.
“Why is the bookcase next to Adams empty?”
That bookcase holds the PPB’s report on the Chasse death.
@Bronch O’Humphrey
I think the terms you may be looking for are desperate and bitter.
@Graham
Volm does have the endorsement of Janelle C. Jeffries. How could you go wrong with that?
See? I told you that “Holy Shit!” should replace “BREAKING:” !
@Branch O’Humphrey – I think the term you’re looking for is ‘fameball.’
@Matt Davis – After you broke the ‘Saltzmangate’ story, Humphrey told you turn in three more like it before you leave, right? Pretty sure this counts as one of those!
The quote from Adams says that Saltzman ‘was able to accomplish three historic changes,’ but then only names one of them. Were the other two…bad things?
Well, maybe publishing the Grand Jury findings was one of the other two.
I think that this is a more telling video of Sam Adams today:
http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/150368/?searchterm=Chickenlover
Shheeeezzz…
Adams did nothing about Chasse. Nothing about Campbell. Nothing about Jackie in Forest Park. But by God, that uppity Sizer went and called bullshit on his budget. And he fired her.
The guy is closer to Richard Nixon than anyone since Richard Nixon I’ve seen in my lifetime. .
Awesome.
The Saltzman hate is a bit overboard. Before he was handed the festering mess that is the PPB, did y’all have substantive complaints about him? A bit cautious? Sure. Reticent when he should be outspoken? Maybe. But was he running things poorly?
I can’t recall something non-PPB related that was a major issue, except, possibly, when he chose not to pursue public-funding the last time he ran. The flap over the $600K in Children’s Investment Fund money should not be a big issue. Did he make a mistake? Yes. Did it have any meaningful impact on the outcome of the funding? No, none what-so-ever.
Cornett seems like a decent dude, but what sort of meaningful platform does he have? He wants to beat up the PPB, but he probably would not have the bureau under his control, both because of his outspoken stance (recall Leonard’s desire for it, and failure to get it) and because he has no experience. Beyond that, let’s see. Cornett got public financing, but then spent it on paid canvassers. Not exactly the spitting image of the people’s candidate.
It’s understandable that Saltzman has been the target of some rage surrounding the PPB, right or wrong he has been in charge for the last 18 months, but at some point he just becomes a straw man for your frustrations, not the guy actually responsible for them.
I’ve put up a blog poll to ask readers whether they think Saltzman’s plight will help or hinder his opponent in the upcoming election…
http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/Blogto…
Still no comment from Saltzman himself.
@Robert Collins: HA HA! HA! Nice one. Moran.
Move into #10, Matt!
Cornett’s never lobbied to be become Police Commissioner; he’s said all along it’s the Mayor’s job, and he’s right about that. i think most people would agree. the timing is odd, but it appears that the settlement with Chasse’s family & Sizer’s insubordination meant it couldn’t really wait any longer. (wait til the day after the election & get accused of gamesmanship, something Adams doesn’t need.) people can guess about the effect of this all they want, but we won’t really know until about 8:15 next Tuesday evening. there might be a last-straw effect or Dan could get the electoral equivalent of a pity fuck.
Dear Sam: Grow beard, become daddybear, ilu.
Thoughts on Mike Reese, anyone?
I met him for the first time last week, but from what I’ve heard, he’s a decent and hardworking guy.
@tabarnhart: Sorry I mischaracterized his goal in terms of PPB control. I don’t, however, think that I missed the mark on his general sentiment regarding running for office and wanting to knock PPB heads around.
Cornett’s quote at the end of this article is really shameful, as the Police Bureau “nightmare” long predated Saltzman’s handling of the bureau. Arguably, it began back in Vera Katz’s days. I would hope that Cornett is aware of the inaccuracy of his statement. If he isn’t, I’d argue he’s unfit for office until he gets a bit more in touch with the governance of the city. If he is aware of the inaccuracy (and I’d guess he is) it’s just political gamesmanship, and–while unexpected–it is, again, nothing that makes him an exceptional or break-from-the-norm candidate.
Barnfart’s right! Pity fuck!
Reese’s biggest backer is Randy Leonard. It’s possible that if Saltzman loses the election, the Bureau goes over to Leonard. Adams still doesn’t want it. Reese is well-liked by the troops, but that might mean business as usual? Time will tell.
@smirk
I like Mike, even though I frequently disagree with him. He strikes me as a straight-shooter (wait, bad phrase for a PPB officer).
Robert Collins, agreed 100%. Although both Sizer and Saltzman deserved the boot. And so does Adams.
Sam Adams only did this because Sizer & Saltzman publicly disagreed with his budget and called him out on his lie about it. The guy can’t take critisizm. Terrible Mayor. What a shitty thing to do Saltzman.