PORTLAND, Ore. -- An arbitrator has ruled Portland must reinstate two police officers fired for selling T-shirts emblazoned with a smoking pistol and the slogan 'Don't Choke 'Em, Smoke 'Em.'
Officers Richard Montee and Paul Wickersham sold the T-shirts in their precinct's parking lot on the day of the funeral of a black suspect who died from a 'sleeper' carotid artery neck hold used by police during an April altercation in a convenience store.
After the death, Police Chief Penny Harrington banned further police use of the 'sleeper' hold.
'Smoke 'em' is police slang for shooting someone and 'choke 'em' refers to the 'sleeper' hold.
Chief Harrington said the two officers selling the T-shirts showed 'gross insensitivity' and Mayor Bud Clark followed her recommendation and fired them.
But Portland attorney Paul Hanlon, who served as arbitrator, ruled Wednesday it was improper to terminate the two officers under terms of the police union contract. He said suspension without pay for six months would be sufficient discipline.
