Portland police arrest 10 protesters in clash over contract

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) –Portland police say they arrested 10 people who were protesting at City Hall over a new police contract that raised questions about the future use of body cameras and gives officers a pay raise.

The Portland Police Bureau said in statement late Wednesday that protesters threw objects at officers both inside and outside of City Hall.

Protesters later were dispersing from the downtown area after a day of demonstrations.

Demonstrators disrupted a meeting the City Council convened to consider the contract.

With demonstrators inside City Hall, Mayor Charlie Hales adjourned the meeting soon after it began.

Commissioners later reconvened in a secure location not open to the public and approved the contract 3-1.

The protesters are with Black Lives Matter and Don’t Shoot Portland.

Members of the groups were unhappy with contract language regarding the use of body cameras by police. They also wanted Hales to avoid handling negotiations, and let Mayor-elect Ted Wheeler handle the task when he takes office in January.

Hales said the labor contract will help the city fill vacancies in the police bureau.