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Officers broke up a large juvenile party where documented gang members were gathered. After breaking up the party, large bands of youth began roaming the streets where groups were taunting other groups. Weapons were found discarded after the party broke up. As officers tracked the groups to make sure no violence erupted, several of the groups boarded the light rail train (locally called MAX). Two persons on the train were instantly identified by officers as having been previously excluded.
Officers went to contact both of them. The first subject, a male juvenile, cooperated with police commands and was taken into custody without incident. The second subject, a 5’7”, 160-pound female gang associate, was being taken into custody when she violently started to fight the officer, striking him in the face with a blow that caused the officer’s head to reel back.
That officer fought to get control of her, but her hands were flailing so quickly and violently while she was striking the officer that he was unable to quickly do so. A second officer on the scene was carrying a less-lethal shotgun (bean bag gun) and attempted to intervene, but knew he couldn’t engage with both hands because he had to maintain control of his less-lethal shotgun.
The first officer took the female to the ground, where she ended up on her back and continued to violently assault the officer by punching and kicking him. The second officer, following his training protocols, deployed the less-lethal shotgun to the female’s thigh. The fighting female instantly stopped her aggression towards the officers and they were able to take control of her hands.
They stood her up as a third officer arrived. The first officer and the third officer took control of the girl’s hands and attempted to secure her in handcuffs. She resisted again, and they took her to the ground on her stomach and, because they had control of her arms, were able to quickly handcuff her.
The entire incident is on video with multiple angles. The Portland Police Chief, Rosie Sizer, and the Portland Police Commissioner, Dan Saltzman, have ordered that the officer be immediately suspended, saying that they were “troubled” by what they saw on the video.
The Police Chief and Commissioner later went on to say that the actions of this officer aren’t what they expect from a Portland police officer. Their contention is that this 5’7”, 160-pound female was only 12 years old and that the less-lethal shotgun was “too close” when it was deployed.
Scott Westerman is a Sergeant and President of the Portland, Oregon Police Association. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites        
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