O’Dea didn’t identify himself as Portland’s chief or even as a police officer when he was questioned by the deputy who responded April 21 to a 911 call outside Fields, [Harney County] Sheriff Dave Ward said in an interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive.
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Portland Police Chief Larry O’Dea is under investigation for shooting a friend during a hunting trip.
Needham confirmed O’Dea was the hunter who fired the shot that hit the man. Portland police said O’Dea was on vacation when he had a “negligent discharge” from his.22-caliber rifle that injured one of his close friends.
In a statement from Portland Police, O’Dea said, “I’m very thankful that my friend is ok and I’m tremendously upset this happened”.
Before becoming police chief last January, O’Dea had worked for the department for 30 years according to the New York Daily News.
The Portland Police Bureau Professional Standards, and Portland Independent Police Review also have open investigations into the incident, the mayor’s office said.
When it came to explaining why the shooting was kept a secret the mayor’s spokeswoman, Sara Hottman told The Oregonian: “The City generally does not announce such things while there are open investigations”.
“I am awaiting the outcome of internal and external investigations before commenting about the incident, and urge all Portlanders to do the same”, Hales said.
The Portland Police Association supported the mayor’s decision.
The friend was treated and released at a local hospital, according to Portland Police Spokesman Sergeant Pete Simpson.
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As of noon Monday, Chief O’Dea’s office has not said why they waited to publicly disclose the shooting. “This is a public relations mistake rather than so much a Larry O’Dea mistake”.
