Oregon State Trooper Won't Wear Mask In Coffee Shop, Curses Governor

At least one Oregon state trooper took issue with Governor Kate Brown's new mandate ordering residents to wear face coverings in public.

A video, obtained and released by Oregon Live on Thursday, depicted four troopers visiting Allan's Coffee & Tea shop in the Corvallis neighborhood on Wednesday. The officers refused to put on a face mask when asked by assistant store manager Travis Boss. He told the outlet that one of the troopers went on an expletive-filled rant about Brown's new mandate, claiming that the governor "has no authority to take our civil liberties."

Boss claimed the officer went on to state, "F**k Kate brown."

Although Boss had turned away customers who entered the shop without face masks earlier on Wednesday, he did fill the officers' orders, claiming that he felt obliged to serve them because they were in uniform.

Newsweek was unable to reach Boss. Allan Coffee & Tea owner Robert Morgan did tell Newsweek in an email that all of the cafe locations have postings at the entrance and throughout the store notifying people of the state's mask requirements along with social distancing signs on the floors. The coffee shop also sent a memo to all employees on Tuesday explaining the operation guidelines that now require workers, customers, contractors and vendors to wear face-covering at all cafe locations.

The cafe reported the incident to Oregon State Police shortly after the officers vacated, leading the department to open an internal investigation on the matter. Captain Timothy Fox, a spokesman for the agency, told Oregon Live that the involved trooper has since been placed on administrative leave.

In a statement to Newsweek, Superintendent Travis Hampton said the department was embarrassed by the officer's behavior.

"Not only are police officers expected to comply with the Governor's emergency declaration orders, I expect them to set the example for Oregon's residents as we strive to fight this invisible enemy- the Coronavirus. This conduct is embarrassing and indefensible, especially in the wake of thousands of Oregonians taking to the streets each day to rightfully demand police accountability. Like any police misconduct, the actions of a few bring discredit to the scores of dedicated officers that do not believe they are above the law they are sworn to uphold," Hampton said in an email statement.

He continued: "Let me be clear, Oregon State Police Troopers are not above the law and this conduct is being immediately addressed. As the leader of the Oregon State Police, I would like to offer my apology to the coffee shop employees and the community. I am ultimately responsible for all actions of OSP Troopers and should rightfully be accountable for their conduct. I hope my apology is accepted and the swift actions of my agency provide evidence of our commitment to accountability."

Coronavirus causes in Oregon spiked up to nearly 9,000 infections as of Thursday. Health officials reported a record total of 281 new infections confirmed on Wednesday. The state's governor threatened to close businesses again if people refused to comply with the new mask order, which requires residents 12 and older to wear face coverings when visiting indoor public areas. Those caught in defiance could be subject to misdemeanor charges.

"Your actions will determine whether our businesses across the state can stay open," Brown said during a press conference. "And your actions will determine, frankly, whether we can open schools in the fall."

Meanwhile, the United States reached a new grim record of more than 50,000 new coronavirus cases reported in one single day on Wednesday.