A Black man, Damon Lamarr Johnson, died in police custody in Portland. Officers were called to his apartment for erratic behavior. Video footage reveals he was restrained face down, leading to his unresponsiveness. Nationwide, agencies have been advised against this practice due to its link to in-custody deaths. Portland is under a settlement with the US Department of Justice related to police use of force against individuals with mental illness. His case will not be investigated by the new Police Accountability Board, as it is not yet functional.
Police body camera footage shows Johnson, 52, was wrestled to the ground, where he lay face down with his hands cuffed and officers' hands on his back.
Many police agencies across the nation have stopped putting suspects face down, because they have been warned for decades that it has been a factor in hundreds of in-custody deaths.
The city is still under a settlement agreement with the US Department of Justice, following a pattern of PPB using force against people with mental illness.
Unfortunately, Johnson's death will not be investigated by the new Police Accountability Board, as it is not yet operational.
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