What are the responsibilities and job description for the Volunteer (Non-Paid) Position - Community Board for Police Accountability position at City of Portland?
The Community Board for Police Accountability (CBPA) and the Office of Community-based Police Accountability (OCPA) are the two branches of the City’s new Oversight System. The OCPA is responsible for independently investigating sown employees and supervisors in the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) promptly, fairly, and impartially. The CBPA will review those investigations, determine if conduct is out of policy and administer discipline if determined appropriate.The Oversight System will make recommendations regarding police practices, policies, and directives to the Police Bureau with a primary focus on community concerns.
The CBPA is a governing body, not an advisory board. Members become "public officials" under the law when performing this work. As a board member you are placed in a position of trust and authority. To fulfill this important mission, you will need to complete required trainings, prepare for and attend meetings, review investigations, listen to testimony, read and understand long documents, and if needed, decide appropriate discipline. Time commitment for this board is significant but will vary month to month.
The CBPA recently hired the inaugural Executive Director OCPA. The OCPA Executive Director will hire city employees. Once the OCPA is operational, they will begin taking cases and begin the transition between the current oversight system.
The Mayor, City Council, Auditor, City Administration, and other agencies must not interfere with CBPA's independent judgement.
Vacancies available: This recruitment will replenish the alternate pool and potentially positions on the CBPA.
We want people from every part of Portland here to share their voice on this committee, If you want to serve your community and to help government make better choices, then we want to see your application. It is helpful if you are specific in your answers.
- You meet all the requirements outlined in Portland Code 35.20.010
- You believe government is better when community is involved.
- You support the City's core values of anti-racism, equity, transparency, communication, collaboration, and fiscal responsibility.
- You are available to attend all general meetings, sub-committee meetings, and assigned investigation panel sessionsand collaborate with others on the board on administrative items.
- You are able to balance your lived experiences and be aware of your own personal biases in order to listen to the facts of each individual case to ensure that cases are decided based on evidence. If the facts show misconduct has happened, the responsibility of Board is to hold PPB officers accountable. If the facts do not show misconduct, the board will not act.
- You will engage the community and be their representatives for suggesting recommendations to change PPB directives.
- You will be required to complete a background check, eligibility check, conflict of interest check, receive Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) approval and sign a confidentiality agreement.?
Time Commitment
- Monthly meetings are scheduled on the 2nd Wednesday and the 4th Thursday. Meeting cadence for 2027 will confirmed at the CBPA meeting on December 17, 2026. Subcommittee meetings and investigation review sessions do not yet have a set schedule
- Members are appointed for a three-year terms and can be reappointed by the city council for an additional term.?
- Members are expected to prepare for meetings on their own time. Meeting materials for review may be sent with minimal time to review, possibly as few as forty-eight hours (or two days) in advance.?
We Remove Barriers
There is a stipend of $500 per year, per person. We will do our best to support you in other ways in order for you to participate in this board.Applications are due by 11:59PM on Sunday, December 6, 2026.
Applications Will be reviewed by a 10 person nominating committee. The nominating committee are:
- Two Community representatives from the Community Board for Police Accountability (CBPA)
- One community member from District 1
- One community member from District 2
- One community member from District 3
- One community member from District 4
- One representative from the City's Office of Equity and Human Rights
- One representative designated by the Chief Of Police
- One representative from Portland Police Association (PPA)
- One representative from Portland Police Commanding Officers Association (PPCOA)?
The Nominating Committee will review applications and make recommendations to City Council with a majority vote. The City Council will establish their own process for appointing members and alternates to the CBPA.
To talk with someone about this opportunity or to receive assistance completing the application please contact the staff liaison at CBPAinfo@portlandoregon.gov or call 971-610-1963.?
Voluntary & Confidential Demographic Information
The City is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Completing the demographic information on the application is voluntary, but we encourage you to provide that information. The City uses this information to help ensure that appointments represent a broad cross-section of community. Your information will not be used during the recruitment nor the selection process. State and federal law prohibit use of this information to discriminate against you. Email advisorybodies@portlandoregon.gov if you have any questions about the demographic survey.?
We Encourage to Apply
We welcome you to browse our website to learn more about the CBPA: Community Board for Police Accountability | Portland.gov
Salary : $500