A trial involving three members of the University of Oregon Police Department, including its chief, Carolyn McDermed, began Wednesday morning at the Mark O Hatfield Courthouse in Portland.
The plaintiff, a former UOPD officer, James Cleavenger, filed a lawsuit against the UO and six UOPD employees in 2013.
Cleavenger’s lawsuit claimed that the UOPD harassed, blacklisted and ultimately fired him because he spoke out against officer misconduct and disapproved of UOPD officers being armed with tasers.
U.S. District Judge David Carter is presiding over the case. Carter dismissed the UO from Cleavenger’s case in August, but other defendants — all members of the UOPD force — will face the lawsuit: Chief Carolyn McDermed, Lieutenant Brandon Lebrecht and Sergeant Scott Cameron.
In an email to the Emerald, Cleavenger’s attorney Jason Kafoury said suing individuals will still affect the university.
“The University is still responsible for paying any judgment because the individuals were acting w/in the course and scope of their employment when they did retaliatory things against Mr. Cleavenger,” he wrote.
Several of Cleavenger’s allegations against the university have already been dismissed by the court. Cleavenger’s lawyers, Jason Kafoury and Mark McDougal, have refiled the dismissed grievances in Lane County Circuit Court.
Tobin Klinger, a representative for the UO, said it would “not be appropriate for the university to publicly discuss the details” of the lawsuit or trial.
“That said, we disagree with Mr. Cleavenger’s allegations and look forward to addressing them in court,” said Klinger.
The defendants argue that Cleavenger was fired for poor officer skills, untruthfulness and poor judgement.
Cleavenger’s misconduct allegation stems from his disapproval of a list allegedly made by officers, listing people and things the department disliked. The list was full of people the officers thought should “eat a bowl of d—s,” according to Cleavenger. The list was publicized last summer and went viral.
Follow Noah McGraw on Twitter: @mcnoahmcgraw.
Trial against UOPD officers began Wednesday morning
Noah McGraw
September 8, 2015
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