The City of Springfield invites you to share your feedback with Rick Braziel, the law enforcement expert retained by the City to investigate the July 29, 2020 protest in Thurston. A community virtual forum will be held from 6-7:30 p.m., Thursday, December 10.

Participants can log in or call in and will be provided three minutes to share their thoughts and experiences of the events of July 29.

Register for the Springfield Community Virtual Forum with Rick Braziel at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1730716375629375247

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

For Call in (Muted) Listen Only Mode:

Phone: 1 (951) 384-3421

Toll Free: 1-866-901-6455

Access Code: 761-158-973

Oregon Relay/TTY: 711 or 800-735-1232

Please note: you do not need to use your real name, address or other identifying information in order to participate. Community members who want to submit their comments in writing, or through video testimonials, rather than participating in the community virtual forum may send an email to Braziel at rbc.springfield@gmail.com or send a letter to the Springfield City Manager’s Office, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, OR 97477. The deadline to submit feedback is December 31, 2020. Information sent directly to Mr. Braziel is confidential and not subject to public record requests.

If you have any questions, please contact the Springfield City Manager’s Office at 541.726.3700 or cmomail@springfield-or.gov.

 

Background

Springfield City Manager Nancy Newton selected use of force expert Rick Braziel to lead an investigation and review into events surrounding a protest in Thurston on July 29, 2020. Braziel is on contract through January 31, 2021 to complete this work.

Newton immediately ordered an external use of force investigation and review to provide an impartial evaluation – a critical step to provide clarity, understanding, and meaningful change. Newton and the Springfield City Council have emphasized the importance of a transparent and inclusive process. This community virtual forum is an opportunity for community members to directly participate and provide their thoughts and experiences.

 

Rick Braziel Biography

Rick Braziel conducts organization assessments, critical incident reviews, and instructs in teambuilding, communication skills, community policing, and leadership. He was a member of the Sacramento Police Department for more than 33 years, including five years as Chief. He is the former Inspector General for Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department.

Braziel is Vice Chair of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, an Executive Fellow at the National Police Foundation, and a guest speaker regarding critical incidents throughout the United States and Canada.

He was the lead investigator in the review of the police response to former LAPD Officer Christopher Dorner. He was a member of a team reviewing the riots in Ferguson Missouri and the St. Louis County Police Collaborative Reform Initiative. Braziel also completed a review of the Stockton Police response to the Bank of the West robbery and hostage taking, and the review of the December 2, 2015 terrorists attack in San Bernardino.

Braziel has also reviewed Washington State Patrol’s recruitment and retention, Baltimore Police Department’s staffing, and Pasadena Police Department use of force policies. He is currently reviewing the 2016 shooting of two Fremont California Police Officers, and conducting an administrative review of the Oakland Police Department’s response to recent protests.

Braziel works with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation reviewing system-wide training and leadership development. He is co-author of the book, COP TALK: ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR COMMUNITY POLICING. Braziel holds a Master’s Degree in Communication from CSU Sacramento and a Master’s Degree in Security Studies from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.