Mayor and Chief Sizer scuffle over police budget gap
As reported by the Sentinel March, the Portland Police Bureau has been wrestling with overspending. Promised savings from last year's closure of North and Southeast Precincts have not stemmed the bureau's financial woes. Yesterday, Police Chief Rosie Sizer announced that budget cuts suggested by the Mayor's Office would mean cutting 25 officers from the police force. The mayor reacted with incredulity. Mayor Adams stated did not understand why his cuts would result in layoffs. The public sparring may reflect growing frustration between the Mayor's office and the Chief's office. In recent months, the besieged Police Bureau has had to battle misconduct charges, no confidence accusations and flagging support at City Hall.
PHOTO BY JASON E. KAPLAN FROM JANUARY PSAC MEETING REGARDING THE AFFECTS OF NORTH PRECINCT CLOSURE
Portland Police Chief Rosie Sizer went on the offensive Monday, questioning Mayor Sam Adams' pledge that "no one will be walking out the door at the Police Bureau" under his proposed budget.
Actually, Sizer said, his proposal would result in layoffs of 25 sworn officers and 12 nonsworn bureau staff; reduced public access to two precincts at night; the scrapping of the Cold Case Homicide Unit, Mounted Patrol and Portland's regional narcotics investigators; and four fewer neighborhood response officers.
Sizer, surrounded by her command staff at a news conference, expressed frustration that now that the Police Bureau has hired up to full strength, at the council's direction, it's being asked to cut street officers.
MAYOR WEIGHS IN
Adams, the first mayor in a generation not to serve as police commissioner, appeared blindsided by what he called Sizer's "staged" news conference, saying he crafted his budget under the impression that the Police Bureau cuts would be reached by not filling vacancies.