PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP FILE PHOTO - For several years, Oregon State Police bugets have been so tight that the agency could not fill more than three dozen positions.

Gov. Kate Brown on Wednesday announced her appointees to the newly formed Public Safety Training and Standards Task Force.

The task force, which was first announced June 19 after several weeks of nationwide protests against police brutality and in support of racial justice, is charged with recommending improvements in the training and certification of Oregon police officers.

According to a statement released Wednesday, the task force will review current laws and rules on police training and certification and recommend how to apply best practices, research and data to officer training and certification. The task force will also provide recommendations on incorporating use of force training and racial equity into officer training and certification requirements.

The task force is also expected to guide the inclusion of more public participation and communities of color on the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training.

“Bold action on racial justice and criminal justice reform is long overdue,” said Brown said in her statement. “But words from leaders aren’t enough. We need action. That is why I called lawmakers into a special session to take action on police reform and the People of Color Caucus agenda. This was an important step forward.

“I am forming a Public Safety Training and Standards Task Force to complete a full review of law enforcement training, certification, and decertification practices. I would like to thank the Task Force members for stepping up to this call, and I look forward to reviewing the recommendations they put forward.”

The task force will report its recommendations and findings to the governor by Nov. 1.

Members of the task force include:

• Chairman Constantin Severe, Governor’s Public Safety Policy Advisor

• Janelle Bynum, State Representative

• Ron Noble, State Representative

• John Haroldson, Benton County District Attorney

• Jo Ann Hardesty, Portland City Commissioner

• Travis Hampton, Superintendent, Oregon State Police

• Jason Myers, Marion County Sheriff, retired

• Aaron Knott, Oregon Department of Justice

• Kevin Modica, Portland Police Bureau, retired

• Ricardo Lujan-Valerio, Latino Network

• Candace Avalos, Citizen Review Committee

• P.K. Runkles-Pearson, Attorney, Miller Nash

• Matt Carmichael, Chief, University of Oregon Police Department

• Carol Johnson, Civil Rights Director, Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries