PSU Consultant Ready To Listen After Safety Officers Killed Man

PORTLAND, OR – Portland State University wants to know what you think about how they handle public safety. A consultant hired by the school plans nine separate "listening sessions over the next three days.

The sessions are part of a broader review of public safety at PSU in the wake of the killing in June of Jason Washington by two PSU public safety officers.

A grand jury in September declined to indict either officer. One has since returned to work and the other left PSU to take a job out of state.

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The shooting led to calls for the school to no longer allow its officers to carry firearms.

The school has had an armed police force since December 2014.

The listening sessions will allow consultant Margolis Healy to hear the thoughts of students, faculty, staff, and others on a variety of topics including public safety staffing and resources, officer training, the school's relationship with local law enforcement, and what has changed since the officers started carrying firearms.

The nine forums will all take place in Room 515 of the school's Academic and Student Recreation Center.

For people who can't make any of the forums, the school will make an online form available later this week.

Once the review is complete, the consultant will make recommendations to PSU President Rahmat Shoureshi and the board of trustees.

SCHEDULE FOR LISTENING SESSIONS:

Tuesday, Oct. 30
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 31
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 1
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Photo from bod camera footage of the shooting of Jason Washington via PSU.