- DAVE NEESON
Amazing. There are actually people in politics in Oregon who can say the words “I am resigning.”
It is with deep regret that I am announcing that I am resigning as president of the Portland Police Association, effective June 19, 2010. I will be taking an intermittent leave of absence between today and my resignation date and will be working with the current Portland Police Association secretary-treasurer, Dave Dobler, who will be acting as the interim president until an election can be held for a permanent replacement.
I am making this decision for the benefit of the Portland Police Association, its members and the community. My recent off-duty behavior has added another negative spotlight to the honorable work being performed every day by the men and women of the Portland Police Bureau and law enforcement in the metro area.
This type of distraction has created a rift among the members who support me and others who are embarrassed by my behavior, and the Portland Police Association needs the type of unity we shared in November of 2009. By stepping down, hopefully the spotlight will be refocused on the positive work being done by the police and the community.
Good for you, Scott. And I’m sorry about the road rage stuff. Hopefully some time away from the spotlight will give you time to recharge.
Update, 2:55: I got the statement from WWire. You’ve probably not been there in a while, but since Westerman doesn’t seem to have issued it more broadly, I had no choice. Westerman is also yet to return a call for comment.
Nice to see someone taking accountability for something.
But he’s resigning as of June 19th? What’s the hurry?
If he resigns as a union official, doesn’t he just revert to being a normal cop? This does not seem like an improvement for the people of Portland.
It’s certainly a step in the right direction, and I will give him 1 point (just 1) for making this move.
This was unexpected.
Nope, Graham – he’s probably got a cushy stress disability lined up so he can go to his 20-year pension without working another day…
He is still under investigation for the incidents in question, am I dreaming to think he could get fired? Most every reason he gives for resigning as president could apply equally well to resigning as a cop, I don’t think he deserves any credit for this half step. The funniest part was where he said they need the unity they had in November 2009, uh no, that was the “I am Chris Humphreys” rally, also known as the beginning of the real tension between the police and their public.
This is nothing to celebrate. The man is hoping that the story stops here and nobody pays attention to the fact that he likely stalked this poor lady, with the help of other police, with the intention of menacing her. Am I crazy or is that a pretty reasonable interpretation of two incidents in 3 days in entirely different locations?