Police again in question
Earlier this week, on Sunday evening, a 42 yr. old man died in the custody of Portland Police. News is breaking today that the police used a taser 4 times against the individual. Further, the public is now coming forward and filing formal complaints against the Portland Police. The Police originally stated only that the “suspect died in custody.” Why did the Police use such force against one person? Was it because it was the Pearl (NW 13th/Davis?)
This is a case where the whole truth didn’t come out from the Portland Police until it was too late. How many times does this have to occur before the public begins to hold the police accountable? We’re not asking for much, just the truth.
Well, I was there. I saw almost all of the horrifying beating that the victim recieved. No one deserves to be tased and beaten, at the same time, by anyone. Oh, but wait, torture is allowed by our own elected leaders. Figures, that when its allowed by the top officials, it only comes as second nature to metro cops. My advice now? Dont ever do ANYTHING that will allow the cops to question you. In fact, just dont leave your house. Thats the safest way.
I live in the Pearl, have for 5 years. I was out of town on business when James Chasse was beaten to death, and was outraged when I read about it. I was seriously disappointed by Mayor Potter’s public response yesterday (9/25) and have emailed him to tell him so. I also sent an email to the DA demanding both a grand jury and public inquest. I find it amazing that the DA would even have to think about whether to call a grand jury.
Here’s the thing about the Mayor and Police Chief’s public comments yesterday: RED HERRING! If you blame the State because the County has to deal with too many mentally ill people, the logical extension of that argument is that if we had all mentally ill people off the streets, police wouldn’t have to deal with them. Well, the “lock them away” theory of treatment lost credibility sometime in the ’70s, folks, and whether they like it or not, our police are being paid to deal with all sorts of citizen behavior, in a manner for which they SHOULD be held accountable.
We need some serious changes in the Portland Police Bureau, and we need them NOW! We can start by demanding that we get all the information on the Chasse case, preferably in a Grand Jury setting and public inquest conducted by someone other than the DA, who has to rely on these same cops to provide his workload. Think about that.
Second, we need to put the Mayor and City Council on notice that the next round of employment contract negotiations with the Portland Police Association will be subject to very careful public scrutiny.
And finally, of course, we can vote in favor of the upcoming police and firefighters retirement revisions.
I am fed up. Anybody else?
Jim
Jim,
You are quick to judge without knowing all the facts. 4 times with a TASER…So what? If the guy was resisting, that is what a TASER is for. Are the cops just supposed to nicely chat with a violently resistive person, repeatedly asking “Will you please stop fighting me? Pretty please?”. Have you ever had to try and restrain a violent person? You’re quick to jump on the “police brutality” bandwagon but probably haven’t ever walked in a cops shoes. You’d probably be the first to scream for help and complain when the cops aren’t there fast enough.