A West Linn, Ore., police officer remains on paid leave three months after the department launched an investigation into his Facebook posts, which included some that appeared to endorse violence against the Black Lives Matter movement.
A final report on the investigation of Officer Tom Newberry’s posts could be submitted “in a few weeks,” but no deadline has been set, said West Linn police Capt. Neil Hennelly. Two fellow police officers are leading the investigation, and the case has been slowed in part because of meetings with the city attorney, Newberry, his attorney and union representation, and the city’s liability insurance company in case they choose to discipline Newberry, according to the captain.
“We’re not dragging our feet on this, it’s a very high priority,” Hennelly said. “But unlike a larger agency, we don’t have a dedicated internal affairs unit, either. The people working on this investigation also have other responsibilities, and they’re trying to get this done on top of their regular jobs.”
Newberry is a former Portland police officer who has been with the West Linn department for at least seven years and has been on paid administrative leave since July 14 after the police department announced the investigation to determine if he violated city or police policies. Hennelly said after reviewing the investigation report he will make a recommendation to the chief, who will then decide what action, if any, is taken against Newberry.
