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Police can't take guns into pension board
Fire and police disability and retirement fund trustees say it's a precaution for emotional hearings
Wednesday, June 14, 2000
By Maxine Bernstein of The Oregonian staff
Portland police will have to leave their guns behind when they appear before the Portland Fire and Police Disability and Retirement Fund's board.
The board of trustees adopted the rule Tuesday, calling it a precautionary measure against potential violence in what are often emotional, highly charged personnel matters.
"We just think it's inappropriate to have them carrying guns into the boardroom," said Tom Chamberlain, president of the Portland Firefighters Association and a board trustee. "Who knows what can happen?"
The rule banning deadly weapons in the boardroom does not apply to those police officers, including the chief, who sit as board members and hear others' disability claims.
"We don't think that board members have the potential of getting upset as someone who may have a disability claim denied," said City Auditor Gary Blackmer, a board trustee.
Longtime board members said that at one time it was an unwritten policy that officers appearing at board hearings would not carry their weapons, but the policy has not been enforced routinely.
In recent months, officers seeking stress-related disability claims have appeared in uniform with their bureau-issued handguns. Following a hearing in mid-April, board trustee Jim Hyland, a Portland fire captain, brought the matter to the board's attention and asked that it be reviewed.
The issue was referred to the board's rules committee, which drafted the resolution adopted Tuesday.
Board members and fund administrators said they weren't responding to any past violent situation; rather, they described the rule as a proactive step to avoid problems.
"It's just to prevent anything from happening," said Officer Leo Painton, a board trustee. "I think we're concerned about the mental state of somebody bringing a stress claim. And it all goes to the increased concern about guns in schools and violence in the workplace."
Babette Means, fund administrator, said the board will provide a lockbox in the fund's office to allow officers to secure their weapons until they have completed their business before the board.
You can reach Maxine Bernstein at 503-221-8212 or by e-mail at Maxinebernstein@news.oregonian.com.
Copyright 2000 Oregon Live
(Dennis edited link only)
[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited June 14, 2000).]
Police can't take guns into pension board
Fire and police disability and retirement fund trustees say it's a precaution for emotional hearings
Wednesday, June 14, 2000
By Maxine Bernstein of The Oregonian staff
Portland police will have to leave their guns behind when they appear before the Portland Fire and Police Disability and Retirement Fund's board.
The board of trustees adopted the rule Tuesday, calling it a precautionary measure against potential violence in what are often emotional, highly charged personnel matters.
"We just think it's inappropriate to have them carrying guns into the boardroom," said Tom Chamberlain, president of the Portland Firefighters Association and a board trustee. "Who knows what can happen?"
The rule banning deadly weapons in the boardroom does not apply to those police officers, including the chief, who sit as board members and hear others' disability claims.
"We don't think that board members have the potential of getting upset as someone who may have a disability claim denied," said City Auditor Gary Blackmer, a board trustee.
Longtime board members said that at one time it was an unwritten policy that officers appearing at board hearings would not carry their weapons, but the policy has not been enforced routinely.
In recent months, officers seeking stress-related disability claims have appeared in uniform with their bureau-issued handguns. Following a hearing in mid-April, board trustee Jim Hyland, a Portland fire captain, brought the matter to the board's attention and asked that it be reviewed.
The issue was referred to the board's rules committee, which drafted the resolution adopted Tuesday.
Board members and fund administrators said they weren't responding to any past violent situation; rather, they described the rule as a proactive step to avoid problems.
"It's just to prevent anything from happening," said Officer Leo Painton, a board trustee. "I think we're concerned about the mental state of somebody bringing a stress claim. And it all goes to the increased concern about guns in schools and violence in the workplace."
Babette Means, fund administrator, said the board will provide a lockbox in the fund's office to allow officers to secure their weapons until they have completed their business before the board.
You can reach Maxine Bernstein at 503-221-8212 or by e-mail at Maxinebernstein@news.oregonian.com.
Copyright 2000 Oregon Live
(Dennis edited link only)
[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited June 14, 2000).]
