WEST LINN, Ore. — West Linn’s police chief has been put on paid administrative leave as the city has independent investigators look into the department’s 2017 bogus investigation of an African American man from Portland.
Terry Kruger was put on leave to “further ensure a complete, fair and impartial investigation,” the city of West Linn posted on its website Wednesday.
“Administrative leave ensures that all parties have the opportunity to clearly and completely answer questions and explain their actions. It is not a determination of wrongdoing on the part of Chief Kruger or anyone else. Any such determination can only be made after the investigation is complete,” the city said.
The 2017 bogus investigation pre-dates Kruger’s tenure as police chief. At that time, Terry Timeus was the West Linn police chief. Court documents show Timeus ordered officers to investigate 48-year-old Michael Fesser and build a case around allegations Fesser was stealing from the Portland towing company he was working for.
Fesser, who believed he was the victim of racial discrimination at A & B Towing, had brought his concerns to his boss. The boss, fearing a lawsuit, turned to his friend, Timeus, who ordered the investigation. Fesser was arrested and jailed.
The case was later dropped and Fesser won lawsuits against West Linn police and the towing company and was awarded $600,000.
Kruger, West Linn’s current police chief who is now on leave, in February, said he was disturbed by what was laid out in court papers.
"I will not tolerate racial or any other bias in policing," said Kruger.
Fesser’s case got the attention of law enforcement and lawmakers across the state. The district attorney’s offices in Clackamas and Multnomah counties are investigating. Gov. Kate Brown ordered the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) to review the case. Oregon senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with congressman Earl Blumenauer, asked the U.S. Attorney’s Office to look into the unwarranted arrest.
The city said the independent investigation is not intended to overlap with the other investigations currently ongoing. A timeframe for the investigation has not been determined but the city said it expects to retain an investigative firm as quickly as possible.
