Portland Police Department
Portland's police chief has been placed on leave pending the outcome of several investigations into why authorities weren't immediately notified that he had accidentally shot his friend during a hunting trip.
Portland Police Chief Larry O'Dea was involved the shooting in April, but no one notified local authorities who were investigating the shooting until almost a month later.
On Tuesday, the city announced that O'Dea was on administrative leave "pending the outcome of several open internal and external investigations."
“We need our Police Bureau operating at its best, and our officers can’t do that when there’s turmoil and confusion surrounding their leader,” Mayor Charlie Hales said in a statement. “Chief O’Dea has been providing excellent service as our police chief, and now needs to focus on these investigations."
The shooting, which was not immediately made public, was reported by Willamette Week on May 20. At that time, a statement from Portland police said the accidental discharge of a .22-caliber rifle was reported to the Harney County Sheriff's Office, Portland's mayor, and the police department's professional standards division.
On Monday, the Harney County Sheriff's Office said they had not been immediately notified O'Dea was involved. Authorities on April 21 received a 911 call that a 54-year-old man had been shot, and investigation began.
Portland Police Chief Larry O'Dea attends a meeting with Mayor Charlie Hales
City of Portland
The sheriff was briefed the next day that the gunshot had been self-inflicted. But later information contradicted that, the sheriff's office said. On May 16, the sheriff was notified O'Dea had been involved in the shooting.
The sheriff then notified the Oregon State Police, who have opened a criminal investigation of the shooting along with the state department of justice.
The Portland Police Bureau Professional Standards and Portland Independent Police Review are also investigating.
"I’m very thankful that my friend is OK and I’m tremendously upset this happened,” O’Dea said in a statement Tuesday.
O'Dea has been with the Portland Police Department since 1986, and was promoted to chief in January.
“I am awaiting the outcome of internal and external investigations before commenting about the incident, and urge all Portlanders to do the same," Hales said.
from BuzzFeed - USNews http://ift.tt/20xHw7p
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