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Friday, November 25, 2011

Occupy / Cops Union Raising Cash for Cop in Shotgun Ammo Mixup, Calls Shooting "Accident, Not a Criminal Act"

Posted by Denis C. Theriault on Fri, Nov 25, 2011 at 3:01 PM

Still plowing through leftovers? Here are two tasty morsels from the Portland Police Association, courtesy of the eagle eyes over at Portland Copwatch, that may or may not help settle your stomach.

On Tuesday, three days after the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office announced incredibly rare criminal charges against Dane Reister—the cop who mistakenly loaded his beanbag shotgun with live ammo and then permanently wounded a mentally ill man this summer—the PPA opened an account to help Reister and his family pay for his legal bills.

Reister, the Oregonian reported, remains on paid leave before any trial, but has turned over his badge, gun, and ID now that charges have been filed.

This was an accident, not a criminal act. Dane acted in good faith, with the intent to preserve the safety of the community. The correct arena for this is the internal Portland Police Bureau review process, not in the Multnomah County Circuit Court system.

The PPA has opened the account with one of its advertisers, Advantis Credit Union. Which dovetails neatly with the other little nugget: A slightly stale Facebook poll by the union's monthly online publication, the Rap Sheet, on whether Occupy Portland campers should stay or go.

PPA boss Daryl Turner wrote this month that "enough is enough," a few weeks before the eviction. But the 31 poll respondents didn't back him up so much. Only 17 said "hell, yes, kick 'em out" (my suggested wording) while 14 said they could stay, either unilaterally or if they "are actually making a statement."

 

Comments (7) RSS

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1
What is 'permanently wounded'?
Posted by PDXwahine on November 25, 2011 at 6:55 PM · Report
2
@PDxWahine -- Permanently wounded means he blew off some parts that will not heal or grow back.

The following is no violation of HIPPA privacy since it is court record:

Monroe suffered two entry wounds to his left thigh; one of the two was a "through and through" shot. Another hit his buttocks, shattering his pelvis, and puncturing his bladder, colon and injuring his rectum.
Posted by Rosy on November 25, 2011 at 8:44 PM · Report
3
One would think that, to prevent shit like this, that a beanbag round and conventional ammo could not be interchanged. Bad planning on some ones part.
Posted by ujfoyt on November 25, 2011 at 10:09 PM · Report
4
Where is the PPA account to cover the victim's medical bills? That's the sort of thing that people do to make amends for their mistakes that lead to "accidents."
Posted by nwspirit on November 26, 2011 at 2:45 AM · Report
5
ujfoyt - correct. I hate to agree with their union, but I think it was an accident waiting to happen when you have same size ammo used for differing purposes.
Posted by frankieb on November 26, 2011 at 1:56 PM · Report
6
I would certainly hope that it was an accident. But that doesn't make or break whether or not it's a criminal offense. Gross negligence can result in criminal outcomes, and this sounds awfully negligent.
Posted by Pangloss on November 27, 2011 at 5:56 PM · Report
7
I think it's great show of humility and contrition that the union is raising money for the victim. He's going to be left with lifelong health challenges, and while it doesn't excuse the mistake, it at least shows that the Portland Police are willing to claim responsibility for their actions.

Oh wait sorry, the donated money is going to the guy that PULLED THE FUCKING TRIGGER, my bad.
Posted by Crowsby on November 27, 2011 at 7:29 PM · Report

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