A Portland police officer has been removed from his duties pending an investigation after a video surfaced showing him bluntly defending the fatal shooting of a woman by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The footage, recorded by protesters and shared on TikTok, has ignited further controversy amidst nationwide demonstrations.
Confrontation at the ICE Facility
The incident occurred outside an ICE facility in Portland on January 9 at approximately 10:20 PM. In the video, an unidentified Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officer, clad in full riot gear, is seen engaging with activists protesting the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother shot by ICE agents in Minneapolis on January 7.
When directly asked by a protester if he would have shot Good, the officer replied, "If she drove a car at me, yes." He further stated that "sometimes criminals get shot" when they break the law or threaten police officers, a comment that drew furious reactions from the crowd.
The exchange grew increasingly heated as protesters hurled insults, accusing the officer and his department of racism. The officer remained largely impassive throughout, at one point acknowledging he liked his paycheck, which further inflamed the situation.
Police Department's Response and Reassignment
In response to the complaints about the video, Portland Police Chief Bob Day issued a statement on Sunday confirming the officer's reassignment. "Tensions are high at this time, and this is affecting all of us," Chief Day said. "Our goal is to ensure that community trust is maintained and that members of the Bureau consistently represent the professional standards that everyone deserves."
The statement emphasised the need for respectful communication to support safety and lawful protest. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson also commented, calling Good's death "a horrific example of the same chaos and violence federal overreach has unleashed on Portland." He expressed confidence in Chief Day's review of the incident.
Nationwide Fallout and Divergent Views
Good's death, which was filmed by her wife, Rebecca, has sparked volatile 'ICE Out for Good' protests from New York to Texas and California. The incident in Austin led to at least three arrests after Texas Governor Greg Abbott vowed not to tolerate defiant protesters.
Federal authorities maintain the ICE agent acted in self-defence, claiming Good "weaponised" her Honda Pilot. This narrative is fiercely disputed by protesters and some local officials, who have labelled the shooting a murder.
Public reaction to the Portland officer's video is sharply divided. Some online commentators defended his calm demeanour, with one stating, "Handled it beautifully, thank you for your service, officer." Others found his comments alarming, with the video's caption arguing that normalising deadly force is dangerous, particularly within systems protesters view as racially biased.
As cities across the United States brace for continued unrest, the reassignment of the Portland officer underscores the profound tensions between law enforcement and communities grappling with issues of immigration enforcement and police accountability.
