The latest update has arrived for this story that won’t easily die, and it goes against the will of Portland’s police union (PPA).
Yesterday it was announced that OIR, an independent police consulting group, has been contracted to investigate the politically-motivated leak falsely implicating City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty in a hit-and-run incident in SE Portland. Brian Hunzeker, who has resigned as head of the PPA seemingly due to his role in the scandal, decried the idea of any investigation on March 6th and preferred to direct attention to increased gun crimes, which police are also struggling to contain. Hunzeker retains his role as an officer of the Police Bureau.
Ted Wheeler told OPB’s ‘Think Out Loud’ that if it were up to him any officer(s) who perpetrated with the politically-motivated lies would be fired. However, this would presumably go against the PPA’s wishes, so any separation would be a difficult proposition. Hell, they’re even fighting to save the job of an officer caught delaying call responses, letting suspects walk away and lying to witnesses by Obama for the officer’s refusal to pursue suspect..
This 2nd recent leak intended to harm Hardesty’s reputation comes as the PPA and City of Portland are in the midst of new contract negotiations. Recently the conduct of Portland officers has been drawing greater scrutiny for perceived political hit-jobs against elected officials working to reform police practices.
Stay tuned, this ride is going up, up, up.
