Latest shooting doesn’t change chief’s philosophy

PORTLAND, Ore. - Just hours after newly-named Police Chief Mike Reese laid out his new philosophy of peacekeeping for his officers, police shot and killed a man who they said fired on them first during a traffic stop in Northeast Portland.
 
“I believe we are peacekeepers, not law enforcement and that’s my goal,” Reese said just after being named the new chief of police by Mayor Sam Adams Wednesday.

When asked Thursday during a news conference if the shooting called into question his philosophy for the Portland Police Bureau, Reese said he doesn’t think so.

“The reality is we face the potential everyday for a deadly-force encounter,” he said. “And our officers go out there, I believe with the best of intentions and often they have to react very quickly to circumstances they don’t control. And yesterday's events are certainly mindful of that.”

He also said he doesn’t think his philosophy for the bureau will make officers hesitate in dangerous situations.

The chief has not yet clearly defined what it means to be peacekeepers instead of law enforcement, but he did say he wants his officers to have a better relationship with social services than they do with the jail.

After Reese’s statements on his philosophy, Adams stepped in to offer his perspective.

“I think from my point of view, we want to make sure that what we talked about yesterday was getting that clarity,” he said. “Part of what we are going to do is to make sure that people are clear (about) what does it mean to be a peace officer. And if there is any lack of clarity, that’s why I want to use this incident to richly debrief and analyze and continue always – continuous improvement on those kinds of questions.”

The mayor’s firing of Sizer and replacement with Reese as chief of police comes in the wake of high-profile deaths, including James Chasse, a mentally ill man who died while in police custody and Aaron Campbell, an unarmed, distraught black man.

 Earlier this week the city agreed to pay the Chasse family $1.6 million to settle the case.

In the latest shooting near Northeast 6th and Clackamas, police said officers assigned to do special patrols in the Lloyd Center area, because of a spring break shooting and other gang activity, spotted a car driving somewhat erratically and making turns or crossing lanes without signaling. Police said he didn’t pull over right away.

“The driver of the vehicle began shouting profanities at the officers,” Reese said during the news conference. “And they could see that he was not complying with their directions. Additional officers arrived in the area to prevent him from driving away from the scene, and officers were trying to get him to come out of the car - a struggle ensued. He then reached into the passenger side of the car, produced a handgun and began firing at the officers.”

Officer Christopher Burley was shot twice - one time in each leg. He is recovering at Legacy Emanuel Hospital.

The driver of the car died at the scene.

Police said they tried to use electronic stun weapons on the man twice but with no luck before guns were drawn.

 Interview with Mayor Sam Adams: KATU News anchor Deb Knapp ask Portland Mayor Sam Adams about the latest shooting at a traffic stop, the firing of Chief Rosie Sizer and his removal of Dan Saltzman as police commissioner: