The City of Portland's Independent Police Review office uncovered a series of shocking revelations in the process of investigating a complaint by a man who interacted with police during a series of high-profile demonstrations.

Portland police sergeant Erin Smith admitted to investigators that he intentionally misrepresented the truth to a pedestrian participating in a November 2016 protest, implying that it's against the law to record footage of police officers on duty. The 23-year-veteran and supervisor also admitted that this practice was widespread among his colleagues on the force.

Assistant director of the review office Anika Bent-Albert criticized this practice in a recent memo to the police board:

Neither the community nor the bureau is well served by officers deliberately misrepresenting the law or threatening improper arrests — especially when the intent or result is that citizens forfeit their rights. We encourage you to see that any pervasive misunderstandings about the acceptability of this conduct are addressed immediately and decisively in officer training.

Oregon governor Kate Brown signed HB 2704 into law in June 2015, which created an exemption on the prohibition of recording conversations for anyone who "openly and in plain view records law enforcement officer while officer is performing official duties and person is in place where person may lawfully be."

Police Chief Danielle Outlaw confirmed that the officer was in the wrong and will face disciplinary sanctions.

Potential Preaching Angles: 1) While the police department was clearly in the wrong, they also had the ability to admit the wrong and make changes. Even good and committed people need correction and repentance to get back on track and live in integrity. 2) Be like a Berean (Acts 17:11) and don't assume everything you hear is the truth. Examine all things under the lens of God's Word to be certain it is accurate.