Portland's Independent Police Review Board Will Investigate Chief's Hunting Accident

City watchdog group had not been informed Chief Larry O'Dea shot fellow hunter.

By Nigel Jaquiss

The city of Portland's police accountability office has opened an investigation of Portland Police Chief Larry O'Dea, the city auditor's office announced today.

O'Dea accidentally shot a friend while hunting in Harney County on April 21. Although he informed Mayor Charlie Hales on April 25, neither Harney County nor city officials disclosed the incident until WW broke the story on May 20.

Here's the release from Auditor Mary Hull Cabellero:

Separately, PPB spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson says O'Dea will not be answering any questions until the Oregon State Police and PPB finish their respective criminal and internal investigations.

"Chief O'Dea is unable to offer any comments on the ongoing investigation by the Oregon State Police or the internal investigation," Simpson said in a statement.

"Chief O'Dea has been given a Communication Restriction Order (CRO) by the Bureau's Professional Standards Division, which is a written order that restricts the Chief from discussing the facts of the case. The issuing of a CRO is standard procedure during any internal investigation."

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