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Resident alleges harassment by officer; city attorney and police chief outline records and complaint process
Summary
Public commenter James Loftus accused a Stayton officer of harassing him while he exercised in his front yard and asked the council to review body-camera footage; the city attorney said council has no decision-making role in personnel matters, and the police chief said the department documented timestamps and closed its investigation with a recorded finding.
During public comment, James Loftus said he was praying and exercising in his front yard when Officer Bevins approached and harassed him, describing an interaction he characterized as prolonged and threatening and saying the officer placed a foot on his property. Loftus said he felt "in fear for my life," asked the council to review body‑camera recordings with him, and warned he would file a formal affidavit if the council did not act.
City Attorney Julia responded that the council does not act as a reviewer of personnel investigations and explained the records request and appeal pathway the city follows when a requester disagrees with a records decision. Julia said the city fulfilled a records request and informed the requester of next steps to appeal if he did not agree with the outcome.
Chief Johns told the council and the public that the department documents calls with timestamps, body cameras and radio logs, and that the agency—s investigation recorded being on scene "4 and a half minutes," which differed from Loftus—s public estimate; Chief Johns said the internal investigation had been closed with a finding and that the department follows policies for acknowledging and fulfilling public-records requests.
Loftus said an initial $50 fee for body-camera footage was rescinded on Sept. 16 and again asked to meet with council members to review the footage. Council members and staff urged Loftus to use the formal complaint and appeal process if he wished further review; no formal council action was taken.
