Cop accused of driving into vandalism suspect at protest

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Multnomah County grand jury has indicted a now-retired Portland police officer on official misconduct and other charges related to an incident during a protest against police brutality.

Scott Groshong was charged this week with three counts of first-degree official misconduct, three counts of second-degree official misconduct, two counts of failure to perform the duties of a driver and third-degree assault, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.

Groshong, who was was working undercover surveillance during the June 15 protest, is accused of driving an unmarked police van into a man seen running from a Northwest Portland skateboard shop that was vandalized. Someone recorded video of Groshong that allegedly shows the van striking a person, knocking them off their feet. The man was arrested by other officers some blocks away but charges have been dropped.

Portland Police received a report about the incident, and Salem Police investigated, police said.

Groshong didn’t know he had struck the person, according to his lawyer Steven Myers. After seeing the person fall, Groshong opened the driver’s door of the van but didn’t get out because his seargeant told him to stay in the car of he would blow his cover, his lawyer said.

He was booked into Multnomah County Jail Thursday and released on his own recognizance, according to sheriff’s office records.

Groshong, 50, retired in August after a 27-year career.

“As policing professionals, we have a responsibility to ourselves, to each other, and to our community to adhere to the oath we swore as public servants. We have to hold each other accountable to the high standards of our profession and the expectations of the community,” said said Chris Davis, Portland police deputy chief. “It is important that we refrain from passing judgment as the process continues.”