Mayor Charlie Hales Says He Takes "Very Seriously" Footage of Protester Arrest

Video shows police officer using a mandibular angle pressure point on protester Kat Stevens.

Anti-Trump march on Nov. 10, 2016. (Joe Riedl)
By Beth Slovic

Caption: Anti-Trump march on Nov. 10, 2016. (Joe Riedl)

Mayor Charlie Hales on Wednesday said he'd asked Portland's Independent Police Review to investigate police use of force against protesters Nov. 21.

As an independent agency under the elected auditor's office, IPR doesn't need the mayor's say-so to launch an investigation, but Hales' words Wednesday add weight to what Constantin Severe, the IPR director, now calls an open inquiry.

Hales' words—issued in a press statement—immediately followed the release of police reports on the Nov. 21 arrests of anti-Trump protest leaders Gregory McKelvey, 23, Kathryn Stevens, 24, and Micah Rhodes.

"Late yesterday, I was made aware of new video footage showing a Portland Police officer arresting a protester," Hales said in a statement. "I take very seriously police use of force tactics in any situation. Therefore, I have asked the Independent Police Review to open an investigation regarding the use of force and police response to the November 21 protest. The independent review process is thorough, accurate and responsive, and if there are findings of wrongdoing, there will be proper discipline."

Hales appears to be referring to a 7-second video shot by Jacob Bailey of Sea Legs Media showing an officer using what's called a mandibular angle pressure point on Stevens. That's essentially an effort to cause pain to gain compliance in someone.

The Portland Police Bureau says a longer video of the incident, shot by KPTV Fox 12, that provides "greater context."

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