While former Hillsboro police officer Timothy Cannon was being investigated for his use of sick leave, he said that it was in retaliation for blowing the whistle on a Hillsboro sergeant for pouring maple syrup on TriMet benches to prevent loitering



Records released by the department Saturday show that Sgt. Bruce Kelley, a TriMet transit police supervisor, in August purchased two gallon jugs of maple syrup. He expensed the $19.98 purchase from an Albertsons store to the city.



According to records, Kelley kept the syrup in his office and poured part of one jug onto a bench at the Willow Creek TriMet station.



In a complaint filed with the department's human resources, Cannon alleged that another Hillsboro officer witnessed the incident. Cannon said he heard about the incident that summer and reported it to supervisors and union representatives.



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Lt. Henry Reimann disciplined Kelley with a letter of written reprimand Dec. 10. According to the letter, Kelley's actions violated two department expectations, including one that says, "Peace officers shall not engage in any activity which would create a conflict of interest or would be in violation of any law," and another that says, "Peace officers shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner which does not discredit their profession or the Department."

The letter further states how important the role of sergeant is to the department and expresses confidence in Kelley's job performance: "Simply stated, HPD cannot function well without good sergeants -- you have the potential of being a great sergeant!"

Reimann wrote in the letter that he understood Kelley's desire to curb criminal activity at the TriMet station, which Kelley said motivated the syrup incident.

"I am empathetic to your frustrations," Reimann wrote. "We both also agreed that you could have done some things differently."

Cannon, in his complaint, criticized the administration's handling of Kelley's reported misconduct. Other Hillsboro officers who had committed less serious acts had received harsher treatment by police administration, Cannon wrote. Kelley's behavior, Cannon wrote, constituted felony criminal mischief.

In December, the department launched its latest investigation into Cannon's suspected sick leave abuse, which Kelley reported in November. On the same day in December, Kelley notified supervisors he would appeal the written reprimand he received.

In late January, former Hillsboro Police Chief

denied Kelley's appeal.

"While innovation and outside-the-box problem solving is encouraged, it is understood that any resulting actions must be consistent with Department policies and law enforcement canons," Sullivan wrote in his denial. "Your actions in this instance did not uphold these standards thus I concur discipline was warranted."

Sullivan listed points Kelley raised during their meeting, including his admission that he "poured maple syrup onto a bench at a TriMet

Train stop in order to deter loitering" and other crimes:

"You had purchased the syrup with your city p-card, and kept in your office for a few days before actually deciding to pour the syrup on the bench. You recognize that pouring the syrup on the bench, while possibly effective, was done out of 'frustration' and probably a 'juvenile thing to do.' Furthermore you recognize as a supervisor you would have found such action unacceptable if done by one of your officers."

In the denial, Sullivan praised Kelley for openly addressing the incident.

"Your candor and self-reflection was refreshing," he wrote. "In upholding the discipline I would like to emphasize my belief that this written reprimand stems from a single incident and does not alter an overall positive impression of your job performance."

Sullivan

amid ongoing labor tension within the department. In

last month, the city and police union resolved several grievances, complaints and a lawsuit filed by an officer against the department.

-- Emily E. Smith