Ticket sticks for cop who parked in no parking zone

PORTLAND, Ore. - Remember the big controversy that got stirred up a couple of months ago when a citizen filed a complaint against a cop who parked in a no parking zone to pick up some take-out?

Well, the two were in court on Wednesday and after hearing both sides of the story, the judge decided that the officer did park illegally and should get a ticket.

Police contend Officer Chad Stensgaard did the right thing back in March when he parked his patrol car in a no parking zone in front of a northwest Portland restaurant.  They argue that he needed to park there so he could still respond to emergencies.

But attorney Eric Bryant, who filed the complaint, believes police should have to obey the law just like everyone else and that is why he, in essence, gave the officer a parking ticket.

The judge did say that Officer Stensgaard acted in a reasonable manner and that he believes the state law needs to change.  Police say they are already trying to do exactly that.

In the meantime, police are worried this will embolden more people to file citizen complaints against them.  They say they still instruct their officers to park illegally if necessary.