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Thursday, February 5, 2009

Cops / News / Portland Cop Union Encourages Cops To "Support" Controversial Officers, "even when the member has in fact done what was alleged."

Posted by Matt Davis on Thu, Feb 5, 2009 at 3:32 PM

Police Union boss Scott Westerman has encouraged fellow officers to speak out in support of Officers Christopher Humphreys and Jason Sery in this month's edition of the Portland Police Association newspaper, The Rap Sheet. Perhaps surprisingly, Westerman appears to be implying that the union's job is to speak up for controversial officers, even if they're guilty of the behavior that has gotten them into trouble.

There will be times when one of our members is alleged to have done something which reflects badly on the rest of us, and gets "in the grease." In almost every one of these situations, the information we spread amongst ourselves in locker rooms, roll calls, coffee breaks, and the like, is drastically inaccurate and nearly always destructive. The union has a duty and responsibility to advocate for that member to make sure the member is treated fairly and equitably by the administration—even when the member has in fact done what was alleged.

As we all know, there are those who will get disciplined for an act another would be praised for. If you are one of the ones who would be praised, you may not see a need for a union outside of contract negotiations. But what happens when the tables turn? What if you fall out of favor and you become one of the ones disciplined? An injustice against one of us, is an injustice against all of us. We need to support each other in positive ways as we are all in this together.

To make this point more clear, look at Officers Jason Sery and Chris Humphreys. Both of these officers had earned the respect of everyone they worked around, both citizens and fellow officers alike. They exemplified everything a police officer should be. They were dedicated, professional police officers doing the job when something tragic happened. Both of these officers were involved in different situations and, after being reviewed objectively, were found to have done everything right. Grand juries, and every subsequent level of oversight cleared them both. Yet both officers have been crucified by some of the media, by some members of the public, and worst of all, publicly ignored and discarded by the administration. The sad reality of police work in Portland is that every single one of us is just a radio call away from being mistreated the same way.

This is why we should remember that we are in this together. If you see these officers, give them your support. More importantly, when you engage the citizens of Portland in discussions about police work, take a moment to express your support for them too.


Have at it.

 

Comments (9) RSS

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1
Thanks again Matt, for keeping us all up-to-date on the sheer thuggery of the PPB.
Posted by DamosA on February 5, 2009 at 4:13 PM · Report
2
"The union has a duty and responsibility to advocate for that member to make sure the member is treated fairly and equitably by the administration—even when the member has in fact done what was alleged."

Fairly and equitably is bad? Please clarify, Matt. You can begin the clarification "For clarification-", because we know you're really good at that.
Posted by A cat on February 5, 2009 at 4:36 PM · Report
3
If I were to be in potential trouble with the law, I would want my attorney to try to get me out of it EVEN if I were in fact guilty! I wouldn't be paying him/her to help the opposition. Bear in mind, it's an adversarial system. I suspect to do any less might expose the attorney to potential disbarment.
Posted by Amanda Bandana on February 5, 2009 at 5:07 PM · Report
4
So it looks like the reason that they called for Sam Adams to resign, is because he isn't in the police officer's union? And they would have stuck up for him if he was?

That disturbs me in way too many ways.
Posted by Matthew D on February 5, 2009 at 7:56 PM · Report
5
A union is not a blood oath. A union steward is not a defense lawyer - nor, even, an officer of the court. And a police officer is sworn to uphold the law, all the time, even when his union brothers or sisters breaks it.

...but apparently not at the PoPo.
Posted by BrianM on February 5, 2009 at 8:12 PM · Report
6
You fuckers have serious reading comprehension problems. Explain to me how this document is asking the police to not uphold the law. Explain it to me slowly, like I'm a five year old.
Posted by A cat on February 5, 2009 at 10:23 PM · Report
7
Once again Matt you are on the WRONG side of an issue. So you can make it known that you think they are guilty of something (when they are NOT!), but police officers can't express that they support them?

Matt, you just get more stupid every dang day!
Posted by FIRE MATT DAVIS! (and fire Adams and Ruiz!) on February 5, 2009 at 11:31 PM · Report
8
To clarify- I think "FIRE MA..." is a fucking moron. Just because I think the anti-cops squad is kind of blindly spouting rhetoric doesn't mean that I think their adversaries aren't idiots.
Posted by A cat on February 6, 2009 at 12:00 AM · Report
9
Not surprising. What do they call it? The thin blue line? Code of silence? It's been around for years. Considering the PPB's history of accepting bribes and being general assholes to everyone I don't think this is a change in the status quo.

I wonder if Saltzman is going to have the balls to take on statements like this.
Posted by BlackedOut on February 6, 2009 at 8:23 AM · Report

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