No parking: Police officers included

No parking: Police officers included

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Story Published: Jul 24, 2008 at 7:40 AM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 11:38 PM PDT

By Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Portland police are not above the parking laws.

Officer Chadd Stensgaard, who parked his patrol car in a no-parking zone while making a dinner-break stop at a Japanese restaurant, must pay a $35 fine, Traffic Court Judge Terry Hannon ruled Wednesday at a well-attended hearing that included several uniformed officers.

Hannon said he didn't personally think Stensgaard did anything wrong, but had to find him guilty because he violated the letter of the law.

The letter of the law was first noted by Eric Bryant, an attorney who filed a citizen complaint against the officer in March. He was at the restaurant with friends when Stensgaard parked in a curbside no-parking zone.

About five minutes after the officer arrived, Bryant walked up to him and told him he was parked illegally. "He told me he was allowed to do so," Bryant testified. "I responded, 'No, you're not.' I told him he was an officer of the law. He's not supposed to break the law. He's supposed to enforce the law."

Oregon law allows emergency responders to park in no-parking zones when responding to emergencies or chasing suspects. The law says nothing about sushi.

Stensgaard testified that he needed to park his car close by in case he had to respond to an emergency call or someone tried to mess with the vehicle.

But Thomas Elliott, the attorney representing Bryant, argued that Stensgaard could have chosen at least half a dozen restaurants in the general vicinity with parking lots.

Stensgaard responded that some of those restaurants close before he usually stops for dinner, some he's not familiar with and some he considers unhealthy.

"I don't eat fast food," Stensgaard said.

Stensgaard declined to comment after his defeat.

Portland police leaders say they plan to ask city commissioners to make it legal for officers to park in no-parking zones when ordering food or stopping for a restroom break.

Bryant, meanwhile, saw the ruling as a victory for those who don't carry a badge.

"I tried to represent the best interests of Oregonians," Bryant said. "And I believe that Oregonians believe police don't get to ignore the law."

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