Feds turning up heat under Portland cop violence
Portland's police bureau, notorious for its mean streak, has started the new year with an unprecedented announcement: It's changing the way it responds to the use of force by its officers in the field. What's changing seems like window dressing -- now supervisors will be sent out to the scene, for whatever good that's supposed to do -- but it's obvious that the bureau is on the defensive in the midst of a federal investigation into police brutality in Portland. For the cops to admit that they're anything but choir boys, the feds must be getting ready to come down hard. Let's hope so.
In the meantime, if a Portland cop roughs you up, you may be able to meet his or her supervisor before they haul you off for your mugshot. That will be a special moment for you, we're sure.
| Posted at 7:44 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (3)
That will be a special moment for you, we're sure.
Special, if you can make it in one piece to the supervisor.
I fear that with some members on the force, the very act of issuing a complaint that an officer used inappropriate force, will itself incite more force.
And in the case of James Chasse, it would have given officers more time to drive him around town to avoid taking him into Emergency.
Posted by John Rettig | January 4, 2012 12:54 AM
Having "Sarge" drive out just provides one more set of hands to cover up the mess.
The real problem is giving the accused officers a day or two before they are even interviewed, to let them get their story straight. That is obscene.
Posted by Jack Bog | January 4, 2012 1:59 AM
Jack @ 1:59
Also known as fixers. A good example was several years ago when two off duty officers beat a guy into brain damage outside the old Shadow Room,(Cant remember the real name) downtown.
Several senior officers showed up to smooth things over and "fix" it.
Funny enough, none of them was charged with obstruction.
Well on the bright side, at least PPD is making it official policy!
Posted by me | January 4, 2012 11:15 PM