Portland Police Sgt to Other Cops: "If you come across a black person, just shoot them."

Until Wednesday, no city or police official had publicly shared the exact racial and inflammatory remarks that got Portland police Sgt. Gregg Lewis fired.

That changed when City Commissioner JoAnn Hardesty quoted part of it on the record as her colleagues considered a proposed settlement that would reinstate Lewis but then have him retire with back pay to ensure an arbitrator couldn’t overturn his firing and put him back to work.

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Lewis made the comment while instructing officers at a Central Precinct roll call on Feb. 12, 2017, how to place civil holds on people to take them to a detoxification center when they’re inebriated in public or in public garages. He said, "If you come across a black person, just shoot them," according to the letter.

Lewis' remarks came just three days after the controversial fatal police shooting of an African American teen, 17-year-old Quanice Hayes. About 16 officers and three other sergeants were present at the 4 p.m. roll call, according to the letter dated Jan. 12, 2018.

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