Portland’s entire elite police unit quits after officer indictment
The rapid response team evidently did not feel it had the support of political leaders.
The anti-police rhetoric from leftist activists and politicians has reached high levels.
“The Portland Police Bureau’s highly-trained rapid response team no longer exists after all 50 members resigned from their voluntary positions follow the indictment of one officer for a misdemeanor assault during last summer’s rioting,” Townhall reported.
The officers were often used during the most volatile situations, such as violent ANTIFA riots. The cops will remain on the force, but the unit no longer exists, at least for the time being.
The Portland Police Association, the union representing city law enforcement officers, say it stems from an incident from last summer.
A jury indicted a police officer who is accused of hitting a “photojournalist” but the PPA said he “worked to restore order during a chaotic night of burning and destruction in Portland..” The journalist was part of a violent mob that had continued to riot -- it’s not clear why the journalist so easily blended in with the violent protesters.
The incident occurred in August 2020 during a “planned demonstration” when people were asked to “come with guns and weapons.”
“Under the cover of darkness, a group of 200 demonstrators, many equipped with tactical helmets, faces covered, and armed with a variety of weapons, sparked a night of violence. Multiple dumpsters were set on fire, buildings were defaced, and windows were broken,” the group said on its Facebook page.
A violent rioter in a violent crowd resisted arrest and was hit with a baton, as part of standard police training.
“Ignoring the reality of the violent nature of the crowd and Ms. Jacob’s criminal activity, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office has now charged Officer Budworth with a crime for his permissible use of force,” the police association explained. “Officer Budworth did exactly as he was trained.”
Do you support what the cops did? Do you think we need to show more support for our police? Let us know what you think!