Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Portland Police Union is calling for a no-confidence vote in Police Chief Rosie Sizer and and Police Commissioner Dan Saltzman. Ryan Knutson reports.

The police union is upset that the city put Officer Chris Humphreys on paid leave.

Police chief Sizer and City Commissioner Saltzman agreed on the action after seeing a video of Humphreys shooting a 12-year-old girl in the leg with a bean-bag.  Officers were trying to take her into custody at a Max station.

Police Union President, Sgt. Scott Westerman, says the girl was resisting arrest.  And, he says, considering she was 5-7 and 160 pounds, Humphreys was acting appropriately.

Scott Westerman: "This is the first time in more than 25 years that the association has taken this step. This is done because the membership of the Portland Police Association honestly has no idea what we are supposed to do when we get the lack of support we've gotten in the last few months and years."

Ballots go out to Portland Police Union members Saturday, and the results will be announced November 30. The Union is also organizing a rally for Tuesday. 

Police Chief Sizer's office declined to comment on the no-confidence vote.