US cop placed on leave over Black Lives Matter posts
WEST LINN, Oregon (AP) — Police say an officer south of Portland is on paid leave after some of his Facebook posts appeared to endorse violence against the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that the West Linn Police Department is investigating Officer Tom Newberry’s posts to determine whether he violated department or city policies.
West Linn Police Chief Terry Timeus told The Oregonian Thursday he didn’t know enough yet to comment on the investigation but said he was disturbed by what he had seen so far.
Timeus said in one post, Newberry shared a story of protesters blocking a road with his comment that when facing “such mobs” to push the “right” car pedal to the floor.
Newberry has worked for the police department for seven years.
A number The Oregonian tried for Newberry went to a non-working voicemail.
