Connect with us

Eugene

Eugene Police Auditor Completing Investigations Into May 29-31 Police Pesponse

Published

on

Investigations into how Eugene Police responded to protests and riots May 29-31 are drawing to a close, the city police auditor’s office said Tuesday.

“Several spontaneous demonstrations began in Eugene on May 29, 2020, in the national response to the killings of Black Americans at the hands of the police. Over the course of that weekend, some demonstrations became violent,” the police auditor said.

The City declared city-wide curfews and designated some of the demonstrations as unlawful gatherings.

The Eugene Police Department (EPD) ultimately used force on some demonstrators, including tear gas, pepper spray, Pepperballs, 40mm sponge rounds, and field force batons (PR-24s).

The Office of the Police Auditor was contacted by dozens of community members regarding this and other conduct by police over the course of the weekend.

The community impact case investigations include:

  • Six investigations into allegations of misconduct
  • Six incident reviews, including high-level review of the events of each night of the weekend of May 29
  • Two inquiries
  • One service complaint

“The investigations are nearing their conclusion,” according to the auditor’s office.

In a community impact case, the Chief of Police issues a preliminary adjudication at the close of the investigative process; the entire investigative file is then provided to the members of the Civilian Review Board.

Per City ordinance, the CRB must meet within 14 days of receiving the case to present and discuss its determinations on the case.

Within 30 days of receiving the case, the CRB shall: (1) concur with the preliminary adjudication; (2) develop recommendations regarding the complaint, investigation, or relevant policy and procedural issues; and/or (3) require the City to re-open the investigation. The latter is an option only if the CRB finds that either (1) the investigation was incomplete or inadequate, and the CRB believes that additional investigation could change the adjudication, or (2) if the CRB finds that the adjudication is not supported by substantial evidence.

“These investigations are all nearly complete; currently the Auditor’s Office and EPD chain of command are preparing recommended adjudications for the Chief of Police,” the auditor’s office said. “Once the Chief has issued his preliminary adjudications, the investigative file will promptly be provided to the CRB.”

According to the auditor:

It is important to note that the investigative files are extensive: body-worn camera footage alone includes over 600 hours of video from the weekend. EPD provided additional staff and resources to aid in the investigations, and the investigations have been the priority for Police Auditor staff as well. The Civilian Review Board will be receiving and discussing substantial, in-depth investigations into officers’ actions during that weekend, and they will be under significant time pressure to do so.

The Civilian Review Board will review the community impact case in a public meeting. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting will take place on Zoom. Information on how to access the meeting will be posted on the CRB website, on our Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as the City’s public meetings calendar.

The Police Auditor’s office deeply appreciates the involvement of the community in bringing these concerns to our attention; we are also grateful for the community’s patience as we have worked diligently to complete these investigations.

Eugene is fortunate to have a robust civilian oversight system, including the Police Auditor’s office to investigate complaints, the Civilian Review Board’s oversight of our office, and the Police Commission’s input into EPD policies. We urge the public to utilize the oversight system to address their concerns. We are confident in the ability of our oversight systems to help our community through these difficult times, to a better and more equitable future.

You may also like…

Crime & Safety23 hours ago

Woman who told a friend that her husband’s both chiIdren died the exact same way, after the 3-year-old stopped breathing while being forced to sit in a trash bag and her sibIing while sitting in the backseat of the vehicIe, was sentenced

Colorado – A Colorado woman was sentenced to two consecutive Iife terms without the possibiIity of paroIe on Wednesday, after being...

Crime & Safety24 hours ago

Woman told poIice she confronted her famiIy member to tell him to stop bothering her before she kiIIed the eIderIy man when he told her to get out of his sight and started waIking away from her; charged

Florida – A Florida woman was taken into custody earlier this week and charged with first-degree murder and discharging a...

Crime & Safety2 days ago

Man threw his girIfriend’s chiId out the door like a bag after the 5-year-old refused to do chores or waIk back and forth outside in the severe heat, causing him to Iose consciousness and later die at the hospitaI: DA

Nebraska – According to Nebraska authorities, a newIy fiIed search warrants have revealed detaiIs about the aIIeged abuse suffered by...

Crime & Safety2 days ago

Mon told poIice his girIfriend’s former spouse was foIIowing him and attempted to confront him on two separate occasions before he fataIIy stabed the man foIIowing a physicaI aItercation he cIaims the victim initiated; charged

Texas – A Texas man, 31-year-old J. Dogget, 31, was arrested earlier this week and charged with murder following the...

Eugene6 days ago

Eugene opens 56 new permanent supportive housing units downtown at Bridges on Broadway to serve residents experiencing chronic homelessness

Eugene, OR – Eugene has added 56 new units of permanent supportive housing to help residents experiencing chronic homelessness. Homes...

Eugene6 days ago

License plate reader alert leads Eugene Police to arrests after early-morning attempted vehicle break-ins

Eugene, OR – On August 22 at 3:01 a.m., a license plate reader camera alerted Eugene Police officers to a...

Eugene6 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire deployed resources to Flat Fire near Sisters, supporting Lane County task forces

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) deployed two brush engines to the Flat Fire near Sisters as part of...

Crime & Safety1 week ago

SchooI counseIor who encouraged the minor student she was indcently assauIting for years to hide the lnappropriate reIationship by telling the girl, “If she tells anyone, she will take her own life,” was charged

Colorado – A Colorado schooI counseIor was taken into custody last week and is now facing multiple felony charges related to...

Crime & Safety1 week ago

Man who kiIIed his girIfriend carrying their unborn baby several days after the victim told her sister that he threw her on the floor, strangIed her, and if anything happened to her, it was because of him, was charged

Massachusetts – A Massachusetts man has been arrested and charged with the murder of his girIfriend, K. Montero. The young...

Eugene1 week ago

Red Flag Warning issued for Southern Willamette Valley Thursday afternoon

Eugene, OR – A Red Flag Warning has been issued from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 21, for...

Eugene1 week ago

Eugene Police SWAT assists federal firearms trafficking investigation

Eugene, OR – Just after 6 a.m. on August 19, 2025, Eugene Police SWAT provided assistance to the Bureau of...

Trending