Kendra James

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Kendra James was a 21-year-old African American Oregon woman shot to death by police on May 5, 2003. The incident sparked a controversy over the use of deadly force in the Portland Police Bureau (Oregon).^[1]^[2]

James was stopped by three police officers, including Officer Scott McCollister. Three other people in the car with her were arrested. During a check for outstanding warrants, James—who had a criminal record and a drug problem—attempted to flee the scene. McCollister tried to pull her out of the car, but she started it and began to move. McCollister drew his weapon and fired several shots. After the shooting, the officers handcuffed James and left her bleeding on the street without administering medical attention. James died four hours later.^[2]

The death of Kendra James, one of a series of high-profile shootings by Portland police, led to a controversy that raged for several months. Many community groups claimed that McCollister was not justified in using deadly force, and there were numerous calls for his prosecution. McCollister was cleared by a grand jury, but was disciplined by the bureau for exercising poor judgment. There were also accusations that James had been a victim of racial profiling, a charge the bureau denied.

In 2005, the bureau announced changes in the guidelines for police use of deadly force, including a prohibition against shooting at a moving vehicle, that were intended to prevent a repeat of the Kendra James shooting. In 2005 a civil suit against McCollister seeking $10 million in damages went to trial. On June 29, 2005, the jury ruled in favor of McCollister, ending the civil case.