A state police certification committee on Thursday ruled a Portland police officer did not violate moral fitness standards when he hit a protester in the head with a baton in 2020 and can keep his Portland police badge.
Officer Corey Budworth, who is now on the list for a promotion to sergeant, faced a fourth-degree assault charge in connection with the Aug. 18 incident, marking the first time a Portland police officer had faced prosecution for striking or firing at someone during a protest. A judge dismissed the charge after he and the protester, Teri Jacobs, engaged in a restorative justice process, which included Budworth releasing a public apology video.
But that didn’t completely clear Budworth. The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, which certifies all Oregon police officers, then investigated his actions to determine if he could keep his police certification. This week, Budworth addressed DPSST’s police policy committee before it debated if his use of force constituted misconduct…