Group urges filing of complaints against Bend PD officer at recent disturbance

'Peacekeepers' say woman was choked; police say they've found no evidence

(Update: Adding video, police collect complaints)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Several people with the Central Oregon Peacekeepers group stationed themselves outside the Bend Police Department headquarters on Friday afternoon,  to encourage and track the filing of complaints against one of the officers at last weekend’s dual gatherings that led to a violent melee.

The group urged people to show up and file “community member reports” regarding an officer who the Black Lives Matter participants claim choked a woman being removed from in front of a police cruiser by lifting her by the backpack she was wearing. They called on supporters to file the complaints and called for the officer’s suspension and a full investigation.

By mid-afternoon, no one had come out to receive the complaint forms, but an officer did come out around the typical 5 p.m. lobby closing time and collect the statements.

Earlier Friday, after learning of the event, police blocked off the entrance to their public parking lot “in the interest of public safety,” according to a department spokeswoman.

On Thursday, police released four social media videos and issued a statement defending their officers’ actions last Saturday, saying none are on leave or under formal investigation. They also said the evidence disputes claims that officers choked a woman or spat on anyone.

A police spokeswoman said the department’s lobby remains partially closed due to COVID-19 safeguards, but they have provided the complaint forms outside, and a drop box is available to submit them.

In a social media post Friday morning, police advised residents of the closure and to "expect interruptions of service and an increased response time to incidents reported at Bend PD," and urged calling 911 or non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.

The Peacekeepers group called for the complaints filing after Bend police said their initial investigation found no evidence of misconduct.

Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel said his office’s investigation is continuing. He said earlier he expects to announce any formal charges within two weeks.

But the Black Lives Matter participants said they want more to be done and are not confident the proper actions will be taken by authorities.

"Honestly, we don't have a lot of faith that it's going to be handled in the way that it should,” said Josie Stanfield, leader of the Central Oregon Diversity Project.

“We want to take matters in our own hands right now, and not keep relying on the system that has repeatedly failed us,” she said. “We're going to take it into our own hands, have community members file complaints, and then if the district attorney does his investigation in hand with those complaints and finds that they did nothing wrong, we'll go to the next step." (She did not say what that step might be.)

The police spokeswoman provided a statement that read in part, “We take all complaints seriously. We value excellence and our commitment to our community to provide the highest level of service.”

The closure was a disappointment to some who showed up to do business with police.

"I only come for work once a week, maybe twice right now, and now I can't file my report or get this corrected on my, could be (on)my credit report," Kelly Warner said. "And it's serious to me. But I'm sure there are more serious things out there, so I will have to make another trip."

Some who showed up did not file a complaint but were there to show solidarity with those who do. Peacekeepers President Luke Richter said he was not filing one, because he did not see exactly what happened last Saturday.

Some participants waited until an officer comes to collect the forms, but others were content to use the drop box.