Portland‘s law enforcement officers will not be subject to a citywide COVID-19 vaccine mandate, its mayor said Wednesday.
The city attorney’s office reportedly told the Portland staff Tuesday that its order mandating all city employees get vaccinated or risk unemployment could not be forced on police because of guidance from the Oregon Health Authority.
“I am disappointed that we can’t hold all of our City employees to the same vaccine requirement,” said Mayor Ted Wheeler. “However, state law prohibits us from requiring vaccinations for police officers unless there’s a federal or state law, regulation or rule that mandates they get vaccinated.”
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Portland apparently translated the guidance to mean police are likely exempt from the mandate.
That guidance reportedly said the police are “probably not” subject to mandates since giving medical attention is “likely not a fundamental part of their job.”
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“I still am strongly encouraging police officers to get vaccinated,” Wheeler said. “Our City leaders have decided we want to lead by example, and science has proven that vaccines are the most effective tool to end this pandemic.”
