PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland police officers rallied Tuesday in support of Officer Christopher Humphreys, who used a beanbag gun to shoot a 12-year-old girl on a MAX platform earlier this month.

Hundreds of officers and supporters marched in downtown Portland on Tuesday morning to show their support for Humphreys, who was placed on administrative leave following the incident.

The march started at Fourth Avenue and Main Street and went toward City Hall.

The Portland Police Association said officers marched and rallied to oppose unfair decisions "motivated by politics, not concern for public safety."

"You're showing your support for officers who act in good faith and follow their training and their policies," said Scott Westerman, the Portland Police Association's president, to the crowd.

The girl in question was on the TriMet exclusion list, according to police. Officers tried to take her into custody on Nov. 14, but the girl swung at Officer Aaron Dauchy and struck him in the face, police said. The girl continued to resist arrest as Dauchy gave repeated warnings that he would shoot a beanbag gun, authorities said.

As the girl continued to resist arrest, police said, Humphreys shot the beanbag gun at the girl's thigh at close range. She began to comply, but then resisted again before another officer arrived and handcuffed her.

The girl did not need to be taken to a hospital.

Last week, Police Commissioner Dan Saltzman said Humphreys should not have brought the beanbag gun onto the platform because beanbag rounds fired at close range could be deadly.

The police union was also accepting ballots Tuesday for a possible no-confidence vote in Saltzman and Chief Rosanne Sizer.

"When our membership speaks and an overwhelming majority votes for no confidence, it's going to have a huge impact. And I believe Mayor (Sam) Adams, Chief Sizer and Commissioner Saltzman are going to have to listen to that," Westerman said.

The results of the vote are expected Nov. 30.

Both Saltzman and Sizer were unavailable for interviews Tuesday but, in a written statement, Saltzman said he has the utmost respect for Portland police officers and he plans to maintain good relationships with them.

Humphreys is already facing a possible two-week suspension for his role in the September 2006 death of James Chasse Jr., who suffered from schizophrenia.

Supporters at Tuesday's rally said people need to be aware of the risks police officers face on the job, especially when dealing with a violent person.

"You know, when you go up to a car, you never know if you're going to be shot. It's not like us citizens. It's a little bit different," said John Frye, who lives in Portland.

Police Rally To Support Officer On Leave