About LESC

Understanding the Role of the Commission and LESC Standards

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General Information FAQ

Does the Commission investigate misconduct or take disciplinary action against officers?

No. Investigating and disciplining misconduct remain the responsibility of the employing agency. LESC develops statewide standards for law enforcement agencies to apply in their disciplinary processes, provides guidance and support to agencies in adopting and applying the standards, and monitors and reports on agency implementation.

Why have statewide disciplinary standards?
The goal of statewide standards is to ensure fairness, consistency, and accountability in how law enforcement agencies across Oregon handle serious misconduct. Historically, disciplinary decisions sometimes varied widely by agency, resulting in unequal treatment for similar conduct. The Commission’s work helps ensure that officers are held to consistent, fair professional expectations, regardless of where they work in the state, and that the public can trust that serious misconduct is addressed appropriately.

Do LESC standards replace criminal sanctions for officers who commit crimes?

No. LESC rules are about employment actions (job-related discipline) not criminal sanctions. LESC rules don’t replace the criminal justice system. Sometimes the same conduct by an officer can be looked at by both systems, but they have different purposes.

  • The criminal system applies only to crimes handled by prosecutors and the courts, and the standard of proof is high – beyond a reasonable doubt.
  • LESC standards are concerned with whether the officer’s behavior meets expected professional standards for their job, and specify the actions law enforcement agencies take for specific types of conduct by their officers. Employment actions require a lower standard of proof, a preponderance of the evidence. It also encompasses a broader range of conduct, from non-criminal performance issues to conduct that may also constitute a crime.

Law enforcement agencies can take disciplinary action against officers even if they aren’t charged with a crime or aren’t found guilty, because the rules for keeping a law enforcement job are stricter than just “not breaking the law.”

How do LESC rules relate to officer certification and decertification?

LESC rule-making and DPSST certification are separate but aligned processes. The Commission is not involved with certification. That authority rests with the state’s certifying body, the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST), which certifies all public safety professionals in Oregon. However, DPSST is represented on the LESC Commission, and disciplinary decisions by law enforcement agencies may be reviewed by DPSST as part of evaluating an officer’s continued fitness for certification. Where LESC develops disciplinary standards for law enforcement officers, DPSST’s broader focus is on certifying the overall fitness of all public safety staff. Disciplinary history is only one of multiple elements that DPSST considers that may be related to fitness.

Do the LESC rules apply to all disciplinary actions?

No. LESC rules currently apply to employment actions involving the following types of misconduct:

  • Assault
  • Unjustified or excessive use of physical force
  • Unjustified or excessive use of deadly force
  • Sexual assault
  • Sexual harassment
  • Conduct motivated by or based on a real or perceived factor of an individual’s race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or homelessness
  • Lack of Good Moral character (conduct constituting a state or federal felony, DV, stalking, Drug-related offense, bias or hate crime, sex crime, untruthfulness, misuse of authority)
  • Use of alcohol or drugs while on duty

What happens for types of misconduct not covered by LESC rules?

For types of conduct that are not covered by LESC rules, the agency’s existing policy and procedures apply. These may include other forms of discipline consistent with agency rules or collective bargaining agreements.

How do LESC standards fit with agency policies and union contracts?
Agencies retain and may continue to use their own policies and enter into collective bargaining agreements. However, any policies adopted or contracts bargained after July 1, 2022, must be consistent with the statewide standards. If there is a conflict between agency policy or contract language and the LESC standards, the state standards take precedence.

Can the public report officer misconduct to the Commission?
LESC does not take or handle individual complaints against officers or agencies. Complaints should be submitted to the officer’s employing agency, which is responsible for investigating and taking any necessary disciplinary action. If you are unsure how to file a complaint, your local agency should have information on its website.

While the Commission does not investigate or intervene in individual complaints of misconduct by officers, we do monitor the application and implementation of LESC rules regarding discipline and arbitration more broadly. The examples of individual cases and situations can and do sometimes inform our work. We are interested in hearing about cases, situations, practices or issues that may have implications for development of LESC rules, procedures, training or guidance.

What if I need assistance in a legal matter or complaint regarding a law enforcement officer or agency?

Again, the LESC does not investigate individual cases of misconduct, nor impose discipline for them. LESC Commissioners and staff and the Oregon Department of Justice cannot provide legal advice or interpretation to private citizens. If you need legal assistance, the Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) can connect you with an appropriate legal advocate. LRS staff may also be able to help you focus on the type of assistance you may need, or give you more community service programs that can assist you.

Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service

How can interested individuals and organizations participate?

All interested individuals and organizations are encouraged to submit comments or suggestions to the Commission, in any of the following ways:

  • At LESC Commission meetings, during public comment period. Please note these meetings are recorded. See meeting page for the schedule.
  • By email to LESC@doj.oregon.gov
  • By mail to LESC Commission, Oregon Department of Justice, 2250 McGilchrist St SE Ste 100, Salem OR 97302.
  • In our annual public survey each summer. Links are accessible below on this page while the survey is open, or subscribe below to be added to the email invitation list. Survey comments may be summarized or included in the LESC annual report to the legislature.
  • During Rule-making public comment periods. Comments on proposed LESC rule creation or changes are shared with commissioners and legislators, along with commenter names, email or mail addresses, as part of the permanent rule records. Subscribe below to be added to the email notice list for LESC rule notices, or visit the rule-making page on this website during public comment periods.
  • Comment at any time on topics relevant to the work of the Commission by clicking on the Public Comment button below.

Comment at any time on topics relevant to the work of the Commission:

All comments are reviewed, shared with commissioners, and may be included in our analyses and reports as appropriate. These are not interactive formats, please do not expect a response. If the matter is urgent or you need a response, please email us at LESC@doj.oregon.gov.

Public Comment

The annual LESC Public Survey is open until August 20, 2025. Responses will be included, in summary or in full, in the annual LESC report to the legislature.

2025 LESC Annual Public Survey