Cop fined $35 for illegal parking

PORTLAND, Ore., July 24 (UPI) -- A Portland, Ore., judge has fined a police officer $35 after he parked his patrol car in a no-parking zone while he ate at a restaurant.

Traffic Court Judge Terry Hannon found the police officer guilty of breaking parking laws after attorney Eric Bryant filed a citizen's complaint about the illegally parked patrol car, The (Portland) Oregonian reported Thursday.

"I tried to represent the best interests of Oregonians," Bryant said. "And I believe that Oregonians believe police don't get to ignore the law."

However, Hannon said he did not believe the officer did anything wrong when he left his patrol car in the no-parking zone while he dined at a Japanese restaurant. However, he said he was required to hand down a guilty verdict because the letter of the law was violated.

Portland police leaders said they are preparing a proposal for the city council that would make an exception for officers to park in no-parking zones to eat or use restroom facilities provided no legal parking is available and the car does not present a danger to public safety.

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