Statement from Mayor Wheeler on Indictment of PPB Officer

Please find below a statement from Mayor Ted Wheeler commenting on today's indictment of a Portland Police Bureau officer by a Multnomah County grand jury.

Today, a Multnomah County grand jury indicted Portland police officer Corey Budworth on one count of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault, which arose out of a use of force incident at an August 2020 protest. The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) placed Officer Budworth on administrative leave today.

I take this matter very seriously. As Mayor, I hold Portland Police Bureau members to a very high standard of professional conduct.

Our city experienced over 170 days of protests following the murder of George Floyd, and I also want to acknowledge that our officers faced great risk and protected our city in extreme conditions.  

I appreciate PPB's investigative efforts regarding this case, and I thank Police Chief Chuck Lovell for his work to improve policies and training to ensure PPB provides professional and compassionate police services​ to our community.
 
Under the law, all who face charges in our criminal justice system are innocent until proven guilty. Out of respect for due process and the fact that I am the final decisionmaker in all PPB disciplinary matters, I have no further statement to make at this time.