Updated
As one of the clergy who conducted the memorial for James Chasse, I am sickened by the information released today by Chasse family lawyers at a just concluded press conference that I've attended which clearly shows the Portland Police Bureau's own actions led to Mr. Chasse's death and that this fact was covered-up.
We've known for some time that the actions of the police were the cause of Mr. Chasse's death - that fact is not new - but what we did not know until today was the extent in which officers lied to cover-up their actions and how those lies deliberately led to Mr. Chasse not receiving life saving medical care.
Officers dehumanized Mr. Chasse while he was in their care and even tried to plant drugs on him to create the illusion that his injuries were in some way self-caused when in fact the police brutally assaulted him without cause.
The fact that the officers - including Officer Humphreys - are still on the force should be concerning to all Portlanders. There is reason to believe there is corruption within the ranks of the Portland Police and that City Hall has helped to protect the officers involved. Either the Oregon Department of Justice or the U.S. Department of Justice need to launch a wide-ranging investigation into the Bureau's activities.
- Rev. Chuck Currie
Related News: Chasse Case Coverup? Family Attorney Says So. (The Portland Mercury)
Related News: Chasse family claims documents show police cover-up (KATU)
