PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN + Oregon Live) — Four Oregon State Police troopers went into a Corvallis coffee shop without wearing a mask, which prompted the OSP superintendent to put at least one of them on administrative leave during the investigation. [The state has mandated masks for everyone inside public places as a way to stem the growth of coronavirus in Oregon.]

The store’s assistant manager, Travis Boss, said he told the first trooper who arrived that the trooper needed to wear a mask.

The trooper proceeded to place his order, Boss said in an interview, offering a foul-mouthed retort to the governor’s mandate that masks be worn within indoor public spaces.

“He said, ‘F— Kate Brown,’” Boss recalled. Governor Brown “has no authority to take our civil liberties. We aren’t going to wear masks.”

In a statement, OSP Superintendent Travis Hampton said he wanted “to publicly address the conduct … Not only are police officers expected to comply with the Governor’s emergency declaration orders, I expect them to set the example for Oregon’s residents as we strive to fight this invisible enemy- the Coronavirus. This conduct is embarrassing and indefensible, especially in the wake of thousands of Oregonians taking to the streets each day to rightfully demand police accountability. Like any police misconduct, the actions of a few bring discredit to the scores of dedicated officers that do not believe they are above the law they are sworn to uphold.”

Hampton apologized to the coffee shop employees and the entire community. ” I hope my apology is accepted and the swift actions of my agency provide evidence of our commitment to accountability.”

Who told these men, these sworn officers of the law, that they are allowed to pick and choose what laws to obey? 

Police departments across the country are in so much trouble—and we wonder why. Individuals like this who make mistakes and refuse to see that they are mistaken.

This is a disappointing violation of the public interest. It is abuse of power. The very people entrusted to put public safety first and foremost, instead put their selfish inconvenience and foolish ideology before human life. 

How did we come to this as a nation? How did we decide that rational response to a disease is political? 

My life matters. Black Lives Matter. Professional standards matter.

Suppose you were having open heart surgery and the cardiac surgeon felt masking was a violation of his rights? Yes, it is exactly like that.

follow-up on 3 July 2020

The governor wrote on Facebook that she’s “focused on saving lives, not firing people for making a single mistake.”

One OSP trooper is on paid leave and three others are under investigation after refusing to wear masks inside a Corvallis coffee shop on Wednesday.

Gov. Brown’s statewide mask mandate went into effect that same day.

Governor Kate Brown’s FACEBOOK message:

In the world of social media, it’s easy to condemn someone when they make a mistake and keep scrolling by. But you can judge a person’s character by whether they own up and make things right.

This week several Oregon State Police officers made headlines when they ignored my face covering requirement. I’m focused on saving lives, not firing people for making a single mistake. So today I invited three of them to sit down with me at Mahonia.

We talked about kids, our families, and the importance of setting a good example. They took responsibility and expressed real regret for their actions. And they pledged to do better.

Here’s the thing: We’re all having to make adjustments to slow the spread of COVID-19. None of this fun and some of it is really hard. But wearing a face covering to protect those around us? That’s easy. The officers and I agreed today that face coverings save lives. So you’ll see them – and me – wearing a face covering each and every day until we beat this virus.