The Portland Police Bureau says it's going to change the way it looks at events where officers use force.
The change is in response to an ongoing U.S. Department of Justice investigation.
Beginning January 15th, any time an officer uses force his or her supervisor will have to go to the scene and conduct a review.
Up to now, supervisors have only had to read a report submitted by an officer.
Police bureau Lieutenant Robert King says the way police deal with force is evolving around the nation, and the Department of Justice investigation has highlighted those changes.
"This has come as a result of the investigation. But we've also recognized internally that there's a value to improving in this particular area," King said.
The bureau defines a use of force event as any time an officer injures somebody; any time somebody complains about an injury; or any time a witness says excessive force was used.
Over the last several months, the Police Bureau has been looking at how other cities conduct use of force investigations.
King says Chief Michael Reese's conclusion was that the Portland Bureau is not conforming to best practices.
About one quarter of one percent of police contacts with civilians involve the use of force.
