05/12/2026
STATEMENT FROM MAYOR KNUDSON: Our community will hear more about this incident and what is learned from the Independent Auditor’s investigation of it. Below is the statement I shared at the beginning of the Eugene City Council meeting tonight, May 11, 2026:
“On Saturday, now-former Eugene Police Department officer Martin Siller was caught using racist, dehumanizing language on video footage captured by his bodycam in January 2026.
I am infuriated by the behavior of this now-resigned officer. The casual, off-handed nature of his derogatory and offensive conversation is deeply disturbing. This type of behavior has no place in public service or in our police department. This former officer violated our values, contradicted our policies, and betrayed the community’s trust.
Over the past 48 hours, I have been in touch with our City Council, City leadership, Independent Police Auditor, Police Commission leadership, and community stakeholders. Our Independent Police Auditor had initiated an investigation into this incident before Siller resigned, and EPD has submitted this incident to Oregon’s state policing standards board. While it has been determined that no other EPD officers were involved in this incident, we are committed to a thorough review of police policies, training, supervisory practices, and organizational culture. Our department knows the perspective captured by this video evidence cannot represent our local employees or our department.
As your mayor, I want to directly acknowledge the harm and our commitment to the important work ahead. Racism in any form is unacceptable, and we will not excuse nor tolerate it from those who serve our city. Affirmatively, we can do more to build understanding, awareness, and relationships across our community. Building and sustaining trust requires acknowledgement, reflection, action, and continuous recommitment to partnership.
Every individual—regardless of race, background, or circumstance—deserves dignity, fairness, and respect. I support our City’s stated commitment to a thorough policy review, enhanced training, and cultural change, and the Independent Police Auditor’s ongoing investigation is an essential component of this work. We are committed to ensuring that accountability is not only promised but felt in our community.”
