Oregon state police on Thursday will take on the duties of guarding a federal court in Portland that has become a hot spot during weeks of violent protests.
State troopers will not be dressed in riot gear or tactical gear like federal agents previously stationed at United States Courthouse Mark O. Hatfield, Police Superintendent Travis Hampton said.
“It is obvious that the current strategy is not sustainable and has a high probability of serious injury or death, as officials and community members face off,” Hampton said in a statement to Fox News. “OSP hopes to reduce tensions around the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse, facilitating peaceful freedom of expression and proportional response if criminal activity is observed.”
FIREWORKS, THEN TEAR GAS: 62 NIGHT IN PORTLAND SEE MORE CLASHES; TRUMP IN TALKS TO REMOVE FEDERAL OFFICERS
The withdrawal of federal forces came after an agreement was reached between Democratic Governor Kate Brown and the Trump administration, which cited growing discontent and lawlessness in its decision to deploy agents in cities across the country.
Brown “made it clear that his goal is to scale down the nightly fighting we have seen downtown since federal troops arrived in Portland,” a governor spokesman told the Oregonian.
Many critics of the federal intervention have expressed concern about the agents’ response to the protests and the inability to decipher their identities or what agency they are with. Authorities have engaged in violent clashes with protesters every night.
Additionally, buildings near the courthouse were destroyed and set on fire, including the Portland Justice Center.
“These federal officials have acted as an occupying force, rejected accountability, and brought violence and conflict to our community,” Brown said Wednesday in announcing the phase-out.
State agents will focus on protecting freedom of expression and the public, Hampton said, as protesters continue to call for police reform and an end to systemic racism.
About 100 state police employees consisting of members of the agency’s special operations team and supervisors from across the state will be sent to events in Portland for a minimum of two weeks, Hampton said. Those who responded have tactical and crowd control training, according to the newspaper.
State police commanders will oversee the soldiers’ actions on the ground while Hampton will oversee a command center response with Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell.
Hampton recognized the task that awaits his soldiers in an internal note obtained by the Oregonian.
“All eyes of the nation will be on us, particularly when we supplant federal officials in court in an effort to reduce the temperature of protest,” he wrote. “It is not a stage we want to be in, but we will be part of Oregon. We will do our best.”
In a Thursday afternoon tweet, the state police lent their support to the reassigned to Portland.
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“Important message from the #OSP family to the soldiers assigned to help in PDX,” the publication said. “We may not be with you today, but we are behind you 100%. Calm your communities and the rest of #Oregon, we are here. ”
