Portland's Auditor has agreed to look at testimony related to the case of a man killed in a standoff with Portland police.
The city fired Officer Ron Frashour in November of 2010 for the shooting earlier that year of an unarmed man named Aaron Campbell. But Frashour’s status has been in dispute between the city and the Portland Police Association, which represents rank and file officers.
An Oregonian newspaper investigation raised questions about whether a key investigation witness changed his sworn testimony about the incident.
Mayor Sam Adams says he’s asked the auditor to look at the evidence.
"This is calling the police union's bluff. And I'm taking assertive stance because our local protocols for the use of force are tougher than state's, they're tougher than the federal government's, and they're worth standing up for," Adams explained.
Adams acknowledged the auditor's conclusions might not be part of the arbitration process, but he says they would have an impact on his decisions about the case. He also questioned the timing of the evidence being publicized a few days before the city is scheduled to file arguments with the state labor relations board.
City Auditor Lavonne Griffin-Valade says she'll lead a team of three other auditors to review the testimony. She couldn't say when their review would be complete.
The President of the police union declined to comment.
