'Don't Play Politics' -- at Least One Portland Police Firing Was Not Upheld by Arbitration

Dear Editor:

In your Sept. 26 article, you stated that "Not one single firing has been upheld."

That is wrong.  Back in 1987, I was fired for some off duty conduct.  I did not hurt anyone, nor did I rape babies.  But I was fired and the union took my case to arbitration.  Everyone in the room for four (4) days thought we, the union, had won, including the Chief and Deputy Chief.  But we lost.  And what that cost me was a pension for eighteen (18) years of service, twenty year vesting at that time, eighteen (18) years of not paying social security, private pension plan.  My reputation for life and not being able to ever work in law enforcement again and I was forty-five (45) years old.  Now try getting a job at 45 with that anchor on your back.  So, the Union has not won them all.  But close, I am their only loss.  I was also a single parent with two children living at home and a mother in a nursing home. Talk about stress.

The arbitration system is state law and Adams is wasting the cities cash trying to win this one. He needs to go to the legislature and get the system fixed.  Something he can do in his spare time next year. But I bet he does not address the problem after he leaves office.

I have no opinion on the Frashour case, it was a tragedy, but I don't know the guy, so unk if he has any common sense or not....Some cops do and some don't.  With a thousand officers, you are bound to get a few different personalities and thoughts....

Anyway, the union has not won them all.

Bob Clary