From: Pat Garrett
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2019 6:13 PM
To: WCSO - INTERNAL
Subject: Decision In Light of City of Portland Changes

Hello,
Until further notice, enforcement activity that does not have a direct nexus to Washington
County is not authorized in the City of Portland.
Why Did We Make This Decision?
Portland city leaders made recent decisions which created very concerning circumstances if we
respond to help in their City and use force. We recognize this situation (and the course of action
it dictates) is less than ideal. Maintaining strong, cooperative and supportive relationships with
all of our regional partners is far and away the preferred state of affairs and helps ensure safe
and effective law enforcement services for the communities we serve.
I attached a detailed memo with recommendations by our County Counsel’s Office so you can
read for yourself the factors we (Executive Team) considered in making this decision. As you will
see, it is not risk to Washington County or the Sheriff’s Office that is most concerning; it is the
very real personal liability and legal risk to our own staff that is most worrisome. The
accompanying stress and anxiety to which our staff members would be exposed, should they
need to use force while in Portland, is not a risk we would ever ask you to bare. I hope this
helps provide some perspective.
What Does This Decision Mean?
Enforcement teams, or individual staff members, may not respond to the City of Portland, to
assist with cases or events if there is nodirect nexus to Washington County. Conducting followup in the City of Portland on a Washington County case remains authorized, so long as you
ensure your supervisor is aware (when feasible). Notifying supervisors allows us to fulfill our
responsibility to ensure appropriate planning and risk mitigation.
Very important, we will still send help during a significant life threatening emergency such as
a Code 0 or active shooter. Our friends and colleagues at the Portland Police Bureau are terrific
partners, great professionals and we care about them and their safety as we do our other
partners. Unfortunately, the current political climate forces us to make this difficult decision,
but one I truly believe is in the best interest of those on our WCSO team who would respond
into the City.
Related, while Portland City Council voted yesterday to separate from the Joint Terrorism Task
Force, we continue to assign an investigator to the JTTF as an important interagency strategy to
keep Washington County residents safe.

 I expect some of you will have questions, and they will help us clarify where needed. We will
meet with enforcement supervisors on Wednesday 2/20 to discuss this matter further. If you
have questions, please route to an enforcement supervisor or command officer so that we can
address them. I will send an update as needed.
Thank you.
Pat
Patrick Garrett
Sheriff
Washington County Sheriff’s Office
215 SW Adams Avenue, MS-32
Hillsboro, OR 97123