WL officer fired after controversial social media posts

The saga began in July 2016 when Newberry - an eight-year veteran of the department - published several incendiary Facebook posts related to the 'Black Lives Matter' movement

West Linn Police Officer Tom Newberry – who has been on administrative leave since last July following a series of controversial Facebook posts – was fired Feb. 22, the City announced.

In an announcement to the West Linn City Council, City Manager Eileen Stein wrote that "the investigation on Officer Tom Newberry is complete and his employment with the City of West Linn was terminated yesterday at 2 p.m."

Stein did not wish to comment further. West Linn Police Chief Terry Timeus also said he was not able to comment on the matter.

The saga began in July 2016 when Newberry — an eight-year veteran of the department — published several incendiary Facebook posts related to the "Black Lives Matter" movement. One post stated, "Good luck with that" in response to another user who said, "Take them all out." In another post, Newberry wrote, "When encountering such mobs remember, there are 3 pedals on your floor. Push the right one all the way down."

Timeus condemned the posts shortly after they became public, and Newberry was placed on paid administrative leave while an in-house investigation took place. That investigation stretched through the end of the year.

When the investigation was completed in early 2017, Newberry still had the rights to due process before Stein made the final decision on his employment.



By Patrick Malee

Assistant Editor, West Linn Tidings

Pamplin Media Group

503-357-3181

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Visit us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Follow Patrick Malee at @pmalee_wl



