Officer Cody Berne is one of the cops that shot Keaton Dupree Otis to death on May 12, 2010, at the corner of Northeast Sixth Avenue and Halsey during a traffic stop.
The other cops who fired their guns are Officers
James Defrain and Andrew Polas.
Officer Berne is a part of the Hotspot Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), the stated intention of which is to prevent gang violence and has been accused of racial-profiling.
Keaton Otis was a 25-year-old black man with no criminal history. Police say he was followed by police officers because he “looked like a gangster,” and was then pulled over for not using turn signals and for crossing three lanes of traffic. He was surrounded by 4 cop cars.
He was tasered multiple times before he is alleged to have grabbed a gun and fired back at the cops. Cops shot Keaton Otis 23 times, killing him. One police officer was injured.
Officer Berne has been accused of racial profiling before and in court admitted that race is “a factor I’d consider” in deciding who to pull over.
“Portland police explain what led to the fatal stop of Keaton Otis”
June 01, 2010
The Oregonian
“Racial Profiling? Putting the heat on HEAT”Portland Mercury
September 11, 2009
“Biking While Black : Cops Face More Profiling Allegations in North Portland”
Portland Mercury
September 17, 2009
