PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The city of Portland has begun its defense of a federal whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former police recruit.
The Oregonian reports that Portland Police Chief Michael Reese was the first witness called by the city.
Reese testified he met with another recruit as soon as he learned she had concerns about reporting officer misconduct she claimed she observed in Central Precinct when Reese was precinct commander.
But Reese says the recruit was evasive during the meeting and told him she had not seen anything illegal, but later described incidents when she felt that officers used excessive force.