“I agree that his actions and behaviors were absolutely unacceptable.”
Oregon officials came out hitting a group of camera-caught state police officers who refused to wear masks at a local cafeteria in Corvallis despite a state mandate.
Surveillance video shared with local media El Oregonian shows what appear to be four state troopers entering a cafeteria, all without face covers, on July 1. All employees can be seen behind the counter wearing masks.
The store’s deputy manager told the local newspaper that he informed the first soldier who arrived that masks were required, but the officer allegedly refused and exploited the governor’s mask mandate. The Oregonian reports that an unidentified soldier has been placed on administrative leave as a result of the incident, citing a statement by Oregon State Police spokesman Timothy Fox. The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment from ABC News on Friday.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced a statewide mask mandate for all closed public places on July 1 as part of an effort to stop the spread of the new coronavirus, as much of the U.S. You are experiencing new jumps in the cases.
Oregon health officials reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases Thursday.
Brown responded to the incident involving the soldiers directly after the store’s surveillance video, Allan’s Coffee and Tea, went viral.
“It is inexcusable that some Oregon state soldiers yesterday ignored my requirement to cover their faces and ignored a request from a fellow Oregonian to follow the rule,” Brown said in a statement Thursday. “The Oregon State Police Superintendent, Hampton, and I agree that his actions and behaviors were absolutely unacceptable.”
“Make me crystal clear: no one is above the law,” he added. “Superintendent Hampton and I expect the Oregon State Police to lead by example.”
Oregon State Police Superintendent Travis Hampton added in a separate statement that the police officer’s conduct is “shameful and indefensible, especially in the wake of thousands of Oregon residents taking to the streets every day to demand legitimately the responsibility of the police. ”
“Like any police misconduct, the actions of a few discredit the dozens of dedicated officers who do not believe they are above the law they have sworn to uphold,” added Hampton.
Hampton promised that his conduct “will be addressed immediately” and he personally apologized “to the cafeteria employees and the community.”
Allan’s Coffee Shop did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment on Friday, but shared in a Twitter post that they are “grateful for all the support we have received from our community.”
“This was definitely not something we could have anticipated,” the tweet added. “Our amazing team handled the conflict in a calm and professional manner, and we couldn’t be more proud.”
The Oregon incident highlights the struggle that many local businesses have faced in trying to enforce government mandates on facial covers.
Despite the global health crisis, and health officials urged wearing face masks to help stop the spread of COVID-19, the use of masks has been embroiled in a kind of culture war in the U.S.
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