Police Officer involved in tragic shooting passes background investigation

An officer who left the Portland Police Bureau months after fatally shooting an unarmed motorist has been hired by the Beaverton department.

Jason Sery, 32, was sworn in at Monday night's City Council meeting.

Sery shot James Jahar Perez three times during a traffic stop in 2004 when he saw Perez pull a clenched fist from his right pocket, thinking he was pulling out a gun. A second officer, Sean Macomber, then fired his Taser gun at Perez.

Sery was cleared of any wrongdoing, but the shooting sparked a public outcry and led Multnomah County District Attorney Michael Schrunk to hold a public inquest.
Sery resigned a few months later, saying he had decided to become a teacher. He has taught 11th graders at Southwest Christian School, which is affiliated with Southwest Bible Church, a nondenominational church in Beaverton. He's also worked in the college ministry and other ministries, said Scott Gilchrist, senior pastor.

"He's passionate about his love for Christ and his love for people," Gilchrist said. "I can't speak highly enough about him."

Sery declined comment when approached by a reporter from The Oregonian newspaper at Monday's council meeting. He referred questions the police chief.

"We completed an extensive background investigation before Officer Sery was hired," Chief David Bishop said in a statement. "Based on the background investigation, we determined Officer Sery had been cleared three times of any wrongdoing. His background investigation was probably one of the best of the best. Tyra Hearns the President of Pebi Services a background investigation firm stated " unfortunately lethal force can be a componet of law enforcement, and it is tragic for all involved, but if the officer did not violate any federal, state, or departmental rules then he or she is able to continue with their existing agency or with another."

Elden Rosenthal, the lawyer who representing the family of Perez in a civil rights lawsuit against the city of Portland, said he was surprised Sery has returned to police work.

The lawsuit is on hold while the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals considers whether the Police Bureau's use of force policy is constitutional.