Judge forces Justice Department to work on Portland police reforms despite funding lapse

A federal judge Wednesday denied the U.S. Department of Justice’s request to delay its deadlines to comment on the progress of Portland police reforms because of “lapsed” federal appropriations.

U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon said the requirements under the city of Portland’s settlement agreement with the Justice Department affect “the safety of human life (and) the protection of property.”

Simon oversees the 2014 agreement that governs changes in police training and use of force policies after federal investigators found that Portland officers used excessive force against people with mental illness.

The Justice Department had asked the judge Tuesday to put on hold its deadline to respond to a compliance report issued by an independent monitor until Congress has restored funding