The union is who handles grievances by their membership.     That's part of the contract.  That does not mean the union shapes it's local memberships opinions.   The increased publicity of police shootings is making enforcement officers nationwide concerned for their own lives.    I disagree with their statement against their command officers,(it seems to have turned out peacefully),  but I respect the officers right to exercise their own freedom of speech through their legal representation.    

Eugene officers cannot assume they are safe in this community.    Those who hate authority will show up on the profile of most of these police murderers.   Some commentors just make it worse for our police officers.   You don't make people less defensive by screaming at them, or, making assumptions about their character without ever having talked to them.