Portland police union rails against 'defund police' commissioner after riot squad resignations

The head of the police union in Portland shot back against new criticism from City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty – who has spearheaded the local defund police movement – over the recent resignation of all 50 members of the police riot squad, arguing her self-serving agenda endorses violence, “instead of defending our communities and the business owners whose livelihoods were destroyed by the riots.”

"These rioters, bent on destruction, hijacked social and racial justice movements," he continued, before calling out Hardesty directly. "These rioters burned and looted our city. Yet local politicians supported them."  "Instead of recognizing the value of public safety, peace and order, Commissioner Hardesty has used the occasion to promote a self-serving, anti-police, anti-public safety agenda," Turner said. "Instead of defending our communities and the business owners whose livelihoods were destroyed by the riots, she continues to endorse violence. Plain and simple: Portlanders want our city back."