Portland Mayor Charlie Hales placed Police Chief Larry O’Dea on administrative leave Tuesday pending an investigation where O’Dea allegedly shot his friend during a hunting trip.
The police chief reportedly kept the news of the shooting a secret for a month.
The friendly fire shooting happened in April.
Harney County Sheriff issued a news release: “Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward was initially briefed on April 22, 2016 of the shooting incident and was told that it was a self-inflicted accidental shooting,” the press release says. “Further information was gathered which contradicted this and Sheriff Ward was notified on May 16, 2016 that Portland Police Bureau Larry O’Dea was involved in the incident. Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward requested assistance from the Oregon State Police on the same date he was notified of Chief O’Dea’s involvement.”
Statement from Mayor Hales (via Patch.com): “We need our Police Bureau operating at its best, and our officers can’t do that when there’s turmoil and confusion surrounding their leader,” Mayor Hales said. “Chief O’Dea has been providing excellent service as our police chief, and now needs to focus on these investigations. He and I agree that going on administrative leave during these open investigations is in the best interest of the Bureau and the city.
“I am awaiting the outcome of internal and external investigations before commenting about the incident, and urge all Portlanders to do the same.”
The investigation continues.
