The Race Factor

"The colonial model is useful for understanding the historical continuities in police-community relations in Portland’s Albina District and in black urban communities nationwide. Black thinkers and activists of the 1960s explained police behavior as part of the colonization process that ghettoized black citizens, enforced their political and economic dependency, and thus led to the underdevelopment of black communities. Black citizens saw police officers as representatives of a state that had delegated “the legitimate use of violence to police authority” in the interest of black subordination. The problem was not just a matter of individually prejudiced cops, but rather institutionalized racism within the entire criminal justice system — and within society as a whole."

                                      - Serubulo & Gibson, 2013 

Photo courtesy of OHS

Part of the problem with Portland policing is the lack of Black officers in the police force. Portland has failed to hire Black officers in numbers that reflect the population of Black citizens. Historically, Black police officers have experienced discrimination and harassment. Bill Travis (left) was one of the first deputy sheriffs who served in the Police department during the 1940's and 50's.























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