Oregon’s largest police assn.: “Bynum is no friend to law enforcement”

Oregon's largest police assn.: "Bynum is no friend to law enforcement"

The Oregon Coalition of Police & Sheriffs (ORCOPS) blasted Janelle Bynum's dangerous record on crime in a new open letter in direct response to Bynum's recent deceptive TV ad.

The state's largest law enforcement group didn't mince words: Bynum's extreme policies have made Oregon less safe, period. Their move to publicly condemn a candidate underscores the grave threat Bynum's anti-police, pro-criminal stance poses to Oregonians.

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NOTE: "Janelle Bynum has disgraced Oregon police officers and all Oregonians. She does not deserve a promotion. The last thing we need is more Defund the Police extremists like Bynum in Washington D.C."

State Rep. Janelle Bynum is No Friend to Law Enforcement
Oregon Coalition of Police & Sheriffs
Sgt. Aaron Schmautz, President

The Oregon Coalition of Police and Sheriffs (ORCOPS) is the largest representation of front-line law enforcement in Oregon.

Over the last many legislative sessions, we have tirelessly advocated for commonsense policy surrounding public safety. As a second generation 20-year law enforcement veteran and the current President of ORCOPS, I have personally engaged in many of these direct conversations. Some of our elected officials have thoughtfully engaged. Others have ignored the cries of those most critically in need of help.

While we often do not engage in direct advocacy or respond to campaign statements, State Rep. Janelle Bynum, who is challenging Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer in Oregon's 5th Congressional District, recently released an ad which demands response.

The ad states that, if elected to Congress, Janelle Bynum will ensure law enforcement has the tools it needs to keep our communities safe. This is a lie.

During the past several years, ORCOPS has repeatedly responded to and advocated for amendments to bills and concepts sponsored by or introduced by Rep. Bynum. I have personally and directly discussed the negative impact of many of her bills, some of which ultimately passed, which she has directly pushed as the judiciary chair.

Despite these many transparent concerns being brought to her directly, Rep. Bynum proposed and passed bills which crippled law enforcement's ability to keep our communities safe.

Janelle Bynum restricted police officers from stopping vehicles with dangerous equipment violations, hampered our ability to search suspects for weapons leading to more violent crime, and took away tools for officers to respond to and end violent riots which endangered the lives of officers and community members.

The ad states that Janelle Bynum worked across the aisle to recriminalize hard drugs. This is a lie and remarkable gaslighting considering that, in 2020, Janelle Bynum recommended that constituents pass Measure 110.

Janelle Bynum's actions in the Oregon Legislature are crystal clear: Bynum views law enforcement as the problem and has advocated for defunding at every turn. Oregon is less safe today because of policies she not only supported but led.

The Defund the Police movement has had no greater champion than Janelle Bynum. While police officers risked their lives serving our community during the Portland riots, Bynum praised violent protestors.

She claimed, "it was pleasing to see the protests," and said that she works to "pass legislation in concert with protests."

Interestingly, this is not the first time that ORCOPS has been compelled to take the unusual step of responding to a campaign effort to gaslight. It has happened one other time: Rep. Bynum's last reelection campaign. During that campaign, while state representatives were working to walk back some of the damage done by Chair Bynum's bills, she falsely claimed that she had support from rank-and-file law enforcement. ORCOPS was forced to correct the record then, too.

Janelle Bynum has disgraced Oregon police officers and all Oregonians. She does not deserve a promotion. The last thing we need is more Defund the Police extremists like Bynum in Washington D.C. This week, she promised not to play politics with public safety. This week, she did.

ORCOPS proudly endorses Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer because she's the leading voice for Oregon law enforcement in Washington. Representative Chavez-DeRemer has made strong progress fighting to create safer communities. She helped pass bipartisan legislation to help address the homelessness crisis. She's also working directly with law enforcement to help get dangerous drugs like fentanyl off our streets.

Most importantly, Lori Chavez-DeRemer does not have to tell you what she will do. She does not have to revise prior positions or lie to cover for damage done. She is doing the job today and has been a moderate leader from her first day in Washington.

Don't be fooled by deceptive political ads this election cycle. Do your homework. Bynum is no friend to Oregon police. Oregon families can trust Lori Chavez-DeRemer to protect public safety and deliver bipartisan results.

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