Portland's police commissioner is recommending that two officers be suspended without pay for their role in the death of James Chasse, who died in police custody in 2006.
An internal investigation cleared Sgt. Kyle Nice and Officer Chris Humphreys of excessive force.
But in a statement released Wednesday, Police Commissioner Dan Saltzman wrote that he believes Humphreys and Nice should be suspended without pay because "I believe that their interactions with medical personnel fell short of the Bureau's legitimate expectations."
Sgt. Scott Westerman, President of the Portland Police Association, fired back at a press conference, saying that is absurd.
"Officer Chris Humphreys and Sgt. Kyle Nice are being unfairly disciplined for purely political reasons," Westerman said. "Commissioner Saltzman is unable to discipline medical crews or jail nurses, so he is taking aim at these officers for political posturing."
The two officers will be given an opportunity to discuss the suspension recommendation with Saltzman before a final decision is made.
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