The High Cost of not Taking a Stand
Posted in the Oregonian on 12/02/2009 by edgarren
December 02, 2009, 9:18AM in response to the article:
“Portland police commissioner explains turnabout on cop who fired beanbag round”
Link Below:
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/12/portland_police_commissioner_e.html
I worked with Law Enforcement agencies and have family members and friends who work in Law Enforcement, so while I am empathetic to how difficult and stressful the job is, how this all played out is unacceptable.
Turn the situation around, imagine a “suspect” who was acquitted of manslaughter, now involved in an assault case. “Where there is smoke, there is fire” is the usual comment. The police union is embarrassing itself, protecting someone who has been involved in two excessive force incidents.
Does anyone in the union realize that when the plaintiffs familes file lawsuits against the city and win that all of us pay for it, including them? Do they also realize that by strong arming the situation, they just further alienate citizens who feel “no confidence” with their ability to self regulate one of their own who has twice been involved in situations perceived to be excessive force, one of which related to someone’s death?
The initial decision to remove badge and firearm was reasonable and appropriate. This is the second questionable situation for the officer. That reality seems to be lost to the police union, and to Mr. Saltzman.
I also think the negotiations should have occurred BEFORE the initial decision was made. The public hates to see this sort of “flip/flop” and it does not bode well for the person doing it.
As for “de-escalation”, if a “no confidence” vote had been made, nothing would have happened afterward. There was no runaway train, the police department would not have evaporated. A disagreement would have been declared (which both sides are entitled to do) and life would have gone on the same for everyone, except that members of communities traditionally at odds with law enforcement would have felt some vindication, that finally someone was listening to them.
Our obsession with “let’s all just get along” and avoiding conflict at all costs is not serving us well with regard to law enforcement issues in the city. Sooner or later the buck stops somewhere, and I thought that is what we elect management to do, take the heat that goes along with doing the right thing, not the expedient thing.
Regards, Ed Garren
Candidate for PDX City Commission, seat #3
www.EdForPDX.com