Off-duty cop spends the day at his daughter's school
SCAPPOOSE, Ore. - A local elementary school got some extra attention on Friday from someone in uniform.
Sgt. Josh Harper with the Columbia City Police Department was off duty on Friday but decided to put on his uniform, drive up in his patrol car and then stay at his daughter's school, Peterson Elementary, for the day. He even had lunch with his little girl.
His daughter is 9 years old and was nervous about going to school. Scappoose, along with many other school districts across the country, got word of a threat and sent information about it to parents Thursday night.
"She grabbed onto my hand and she wouldn't let go," Harper said.
Harper said he wanted to reassure his own daughter, and her classmates, that everything would be OK, so he decided to spend the day at the school. And his presence also made other parents feel more at ease.
We also noticed a pretty heavy police presence in Scappoose on Friday, in addition to Harper. Officers were keeping a close eye on the schools after the threat.
Harper said he is not trying to wade into any political debate about guns in schools. But he did point out that budget cuts have done away with school resource officers over the years for many school districts, including Scappoose.
Still, he said he understands that times are tough and people vote on police and fire funding decisions in the midst of losing jobs and trying to feed their families.
I just dont get why this is such a heated issue? The officer had heard that there was a threat at the school. His kid was worried and squeezed his hand. At that point no matter who you are it makes your heart sink. So rather then not send her to school he took a single day to ease the anxiety of his child and obviously a few parents.He went and supported his child in his police get up to ease the fears of both the children and parents. If this was a big deal the principle of the school would have came out and talked with him. However it doesn't sound like that happened so obviously they were OK with it.Also more then likely he let other police officers know he was going to be there. They dont report on EVERY little detail Im sure. Who knows? Maybe he called his department and let them know as well? Either way there were other cops patrolling the schools heavily that day. Im sure one of them would have told that it wasn't OK or called it in.
"that budget cuts "
What school budget cuts, schools keep getting more and more money each year. Â Not raising revenue as much as you want each year does not equal a budge cut. Â If you get more money that is an increase, not a cut!
BZ Sgt Josh Harper. Â Good for you.
Â
Cutting through all the rhetoric and chest thumping to take personal action to meet the need: to provide the presence needed so the innocent children can feel safe. Â
Â
In my childhood, a uniform police officer was seen by me and my peers as a hero, a man of authority we could place our trust in. Â We were told if something happens that scares us, go find the policeman.
Â
Why is it now that uniformed policeman in the schools is seen as a bad thing by the media and some of the government?
Sgt. Josh Harper sets an excellent example for parents all over.  Perhaps having fathers and mothers, regardless of job or career, spend lunchtime more often with their kids can help serve as a deterrent toward someone planning a criminal act against a school. They wouldn't need to be armed.Â
Â
When my kids were in school I was a common sight as I volunteered to help out as much as I could.  At the time I was Air Force law enforcement.  Besides volunteering, I also worked as a DARE officer every so often.  I was always welcomed whether the school was a DOD school or a local school in the community.
Â
I spent six of last ten years as an elementary school mentor, a study buddy or a SMART reader.  My health deteriorated to the point I can no longer participate and I miss being in the schools a great deal.
Â
This isn't meant to be a boastful posting, well, maybe a little as I like to remember the man I used to be, more over it is meant to show it is possible for adults of all ages to spend time in the schools as volunteers.  It means a great deal to the young students, to the teachers and administration and now can be seen as an additional security asset.
Â
Doesn't matter who you are or what your station in life is. Â Kids need you. Â Schools need you. Â If you can, please volunteer a couple hours a week at your local school. Â I can assure you will get as much out of the experience as the children you help.Â
Â
I applaude Sgt. Harper. Â He sets a good example and the possibility of schools finding properly screened volunteers to do this. Â
Â
I am inspired by a story I read yesterday about a former marine finding his uniform and deciding to put it on and "stand watch" outside his local school
It really got to me and set forth an example to others that have proper qualifications.
Â
I also read about a school in Washington has I believe 50 or so fathers come in on their day off and work with the kids. Â They have recently taken up patrolling the grounds. Â None of this is about being armed. Â It is about caring for our young people. Â
Â
Now I read the ? gun association wants all schools guarded. Â What are they suggesting? Â HIring someone. Â Where are the funds coming from. Â Or themselves doing it. Â That being the case....who says they are qualified?
Â
 @my2cents Concerning the Marine you mention...If its the same story I read, the "Marine" was dismissed by noon after one of the schools administrators checked up on his background based on the information the guy told the school.
Â
I dont recall many of the details, however, he pretty much lied about everything he had told the school, except, he had been in the Marine Reserve. Â If I recall he was discharged after only six months. Â Sad.
Â
Â
Well, when I hang around the grade school all day it's considered "creepy". Maybe I should wear a uniform next time? Or at least pants for a change? :)Â
I am not a parent myself....but with everything that has happened in the last week....I commend this officer for going to his daughter's school and spending the day with her....I give him two thumbs up!!
Thank you Sgt. Josh Harper for doing your off hours duty by protecting your little girl and classmates today. Your daughter will always remember this for years to come.  I wished that parents from police departments do this for today for their children's schools all over America. Thank you again.
I am a retired police officer and former (14 yr) field training officer; any officer, retired police officer, or reserve police officer exhibiting this behavior should (immediatley) be subjected to a "Fitness for Duty" Psych eval for such conduct. It's not normal, and should be looked into...
@Derek2mk Being a "rent a cop" I can see your view on the situation as you don't have the capability of being a real officer in the real world. So any parent, be it police, military, etc. who is concerned for their children and want to make them feel safe should have a "Psych" eval done on them? Seriously? Apparently you need one because our job, yes I am a law enforcement officer currently at 29 years of service, would do anything to protect and serve. You on the other hand have no clue what it takes to do the same.....
@PIG(Pride Integrity & Guts)   Graduated DPSST (then BPST) academy in Sept '80 as a regular officer, spent 25 years on the job, 4 in Detectives.
Â
Bite me, sweetpea.
 @Derek2mk Thank you for your service and training.  I'm just sorry our society has gotten so litigious that it has jaded you and forced these decisions upon you.
Â
I'm fine with Mr. Harper making this decision if it is in agreement with the school district and with his police department (and whomever has legal authority) but I'd much rather see him in a non-police uniform and without his service weapon and patrol car. Â If he has his uniform, badge, weapon, and patrol car, he is acting on behalf of the Department and should be paid for that work.
 @Derek2mk I think you are the one who need the Psych help if you think this officer did something wrong he did what any good dad would do.It to bad people like yourself think something got to be wrong cause someone did something right for their child
 @Rick Dalton  @Derek2mk Rick, you don't understand, Derek2mk makes some sense here.  As an elected official in my city, I would have concerns if an off-duty officer was "hanging around a school."  We have a School Resource Officer (SRO) program which requires us to have a contract between the School District and the City.  Remember both are separate taxing authorities and School's are private property.  I commend the officer for wanting to protect his daughter, as a father I too would do anything to protect my boys.  Although I wouldn't go as far as the "Psych eval" thing, I would want to ensure that both the School District and the City in which he is employed was in agreement, especially if he is a member of a bargaining unit.  I would imagine they might have something to say about this as well.  It was a nice gesture, and given all the publicity, maybe it will spur some involvement in the both the School Board and the City Council to enact policy.
@RalphCramden Actually, I just spoke to my Chief, and you are correct, schools are considered public property; however, for the purposes of law, they are sometimes treated like private property.  He said, that his main concern would be L&I as he doesn't believe the officer would be covered if he were to injure himself.  Also, if heaven forbid he had to discharge his weapon and he killed someone, the law suit that would almost undoubtedly ensue would be a nightmare, given that the other side would argue that since he was in uniform he was in fact "on duty".
 @Jim Restucci  @Rick Dalton  @Derek2mkÂ
Schools are not private property if they are supported by taxes. They are government property and technically people have to abide by the access policies of the school district.
@Jim Restucci   Jim, I spent a couple of years in Dets working Child Sex Crimes. Anyone seeking public notoriety, and particularly those that seeking positions involving access to children, should be viewed with great suspicion. All should be screened by appropriate authority prior to being allowed unfettered access to children.
 @Derek2mk You said a mouthful there brother. What a nut. Unless just maybe he likes meaningless symbolic gestures that accomplish nothing.
@Derek2mk Really..??? You're saying a father's desire to protect his children isn't normal..??? Just curious...only 14 years on the job..??? Why did'nt you finish out your tour..???
@Maximus 25 years on the job, 14 as an FTO.
I call bull! As being an FTO is in addition to your patrol assignment. NOT an assignment! You are sure creating a long list of things you're "claiming" to be. Detectives, FTO, Patrol, etc.... Why not add DRE, K9, and the CERT Unit to that list. Now THAT would make you SOUND interesting!  I hope you're writing this all down so you don't forget what your claiming you are. I really think you're nothing more than a mentally ill badge chaser. Quoting things like Sgt Harper in violation of ORS, proves you're a nut!
Â
 @Derek2mk  Well, I'm an active police officer with 24 years on and I don't think he's a nut. If he was a reserve I would think that he should check with his department before self deploying. If he was retired that's between him and the school district. This guy is an active police officer, who I don't have to remind you, has police powers 24/7. So you wouldn't have a problem if he went there armed and in civilian clothes?
@Scotty9   OK Scott, I'll take your word for being an officer. Please explain to me (specifically) what O.R.S. gives an officer (active or retired) legal authorization to engage in such action. Please explain who indemifies an officer engaging in such an action. Does an officer's Weingarten, Carney, and Garrity Rights apply to an off-duty officer engaged in such action? If injured, does Workers Compensation cover an officer injured in such an action? If a shooting occurrs, who represents the officer, and what Rights does he have? In such an instance, what oversight does DPSST have? What statutory authority gives DPSST the right to excercise such authority in such instances?Â
Â
I would have a problem with anyone "half-assing" it, based on emotion, without *legal* (negotiated) agreements in place.
Â
Sorry dude, but 9 years on the Executive Board of my Union made me rather cautious. Public opinion is fickle, and ever-changing. And, if you think whatever agency you work for "has your back" - I feel pretty damned sorry for you. In my career, I have seen a number of officers left naked when they thought their agency would represent them. Dial up John Powers, a local attorney, and see what he has to say on the matter....
Â
Negotiated, legal agreements must be in place before any such action is taken. Anything less is sheer folly...Â
 @Derek2mk True, but you can do your job 110% right and still get sued.
 @Derek2mk True, but when you become a cop you get all the baggage that comes with the job. Do you carry off duty or don't you? Either choice can lead to a lifetime of regret depending on how things play out. I would much rather have my gun with me and have the choice between getting involved or not. What a nightmare to be at a school or mall when an active shooter situation unfolds. You reach for your gun and you left it at home. Talk about helpless.
@Derek2mk
You sound like someone suffereing from PTSD from a bad decision YOU made. Well, hate to burst your bubble but someone who is trained knows how to use his weapon. From all your posts its clear you don't have the faith in yourself to make a good choice or handle a situation. His department wouldn't have him employed if he couldn't handle himself with a gun in his hand! You claim to have been sued many times, so maybe YOU have had the 20 sec in a incident and years of heartache. I really don't believe you are or have ever been a Paid Certified Police Officer in the State of Oregon, as the things you're saying just aren't adding up. First thing you do when you get on here is try to make yourself sound credible by posting that you are this and that. I call BULL!! No department in the country would employ a Officer who couldn't handle himself. I have worked in Columbia County and have seen Sgt Harper in the middle of situations. I have all the faith in the world that he CAN and DOES handle himself professionally and with the ability it takes to not just do the job, but get the job done. You Mr. Derek2mk are a joke and not mentally capable of wearing a badge. Thats obvious!
Derek2mk you're an idiot and need a mental eval! Truth be told you probably aren't in LE anymore because YOU aren't mentally fit for duty. Just because to come on here and throw words around like DPSST, Garrity and ORS DOESNT give you credibility. You CLAIM you're a EX-Officer but my gut tells me your just a quack trying to seek attention. IF, and that is a HUGE "IF" you were ever a paid Police Officer within the State of Oregon you would KNOW that ORS has NOTHING stating that Sgt Harper was EVER in any violation of any laws. So I call BULL on your claims of ever being a Police Officer in Oregon. You have thrown around a lot of innuendo on here of many different things. I suspicion that you are really some disgruntled citizen who got a ticket from Sgt Harper or someone who tried to get hired as an Officer and failed the psych eval or background. I work in Columbia County and have seen Sgt Harper's work ethic. He is a dedicated Sgt who has given more than 20 years to this community of Columbia County. If you zoom in really close to his badge, you will see the State seal of OREGON on his badge, not just Columbia City! He, along with the rest of the real Officers in Oregon took an Oath to uphold the laws of this STATE. He IS a Police Officer 24/7 and has Police Authority as such. NOT just in Columbia City! One of the things you stated to the grandmother about her grand daughter was something about him shooting her in the head? You are a sick individual. He was clearly NOT unholstering his firearm or show boating and the fact that you would say that, strongly makes one question YOUR mental staus. Any Officer in uniform or out would do what ever he or she had to do to protect any and all children in school if a gun man walked in shooting - On or Off duty. Him being at the school in uniform is no different liability wise than when departments loan out Officers to work security for places, on and off duty - without ANY financial exchange in return. Not to mention using department vehicles and uniforms to travel across the U.S. to honor a fallen Officer. Departments have done this for years. Department cars are used along with department equip, etc. I could go on and on about how much of a moron you are and how your posts point to your mental instability because the things you're saying, but I will let people come to that on their own. IF you were ever a PAID Officer who worked the streets, your comments show why you don't any longer!
Â
Oh before I forget, It is my understanding from fellow Officers within the County that Sgt Harper DID have approval from his Chief to go. I applaud his department for allowing that. This job takes so much away from our families. We spend holidays, nights, weekends protecting other peoples children. Sadly we aren't able to be there for our own that often. His daughter needed him and he stood by her side. It's great to see his department allowing and supporting him in doing that for his own kid. Him being there was nothing more than a dad protecting his daughter and trying to ease her fears, along with the fears of fellow students and staff. After all they DID have a threat to the schools in Scappoose.
 @Derek2mkÂ
It's a risk benefit analysis.
Â
I say that him being there is a big benefit with little risk.
@RalphCramden  No, I've just been sued enough times for simply doing my job to understand that this sort of thing is problematic, and gives the Risk Management types the fits.
Â
And, it doesn't matter a bit "What the Chief thinks" when it comes to an attorney filing a Tort Claim against you, or your parent agency.
@Scotty9Â I understand what you're saying, but as you know, 20 seconds in an incident can lead to months, if not years of heartache.
 @Derek2mkÂ
Â
Also, I would like to see the ORS that prevents him from doing what he's doing. He's not taking action, he's simply living. He happens to have his uniform and equipment on while he's doing it.
 @Derek2mkÂ
Â
I think you're over analyzing this.  Yes, there is potential liability if something goes wrong. Yes, workman's comp may not cover him if he gets injured and yes, his department may not back him if he screws up, but all that is true if he's walking down the street on his day off and chooses take action against a crime in progress at a 7-11. A school is no different.
Â
I'm very impressed with your credentials and union reps like you are needed in this sad day and age, but would we be talking about this if he had spent the day with his daughter if he wasn't in uniform?Â
Â
I'm a father who happens to be a cop. I take my gun, my badge, my cuffs, my skills and my experience everywhere I go. My uniform doesn't change that fact. At the end of the day, my action or inaction during a crime in progress will be judged on the basis of the totality of the circumstances and if my department chooses not to back me that's the way it goes. I have to live with the decisions I make, both good and bad, but as cops we knew that going in didn't we?
Â
Â
 @Derek2mkÂ
In days of old we just did what we needed to get the job done.
Â
It would appear that your insistence of getting a lot of paperwork done would be getting in the way of progress.
Â
Are you a politician? They love creating paperwork.
Â
Scappose is a small department and I am sure the chief new all about this an authorized him to be there so you don't need to worry. If he stubbed his toe I am sure he will be covered.
 @Scotty9  @Derek2mk No I would not...each chief has his own set of standards and where I live they really like for their officers to volunteer time with the schools.
 @Derek2mk You are a nut..My granddaughter loves it when her friends father comes to school in uniform.. Just what kind of wrong behavior did he exhibit?
Â
@minniemouse  Just because your "granddaughter loves it " doesn't make it a legitimate, or sound police practice. Who indemifies this individual for insurance? If he accidentaly fires his weapon and put one though the side of your granddaughters head, who pays? The school, the police? Legal agreements for liability and indemity *must* be in place before any such action.
Â
Anything else is simply "showboating", and not in the public's final best interest.
I find it really odd that so many people on here think the children would be traumatized if there were armed guards in the school...have you ever thought how many armed guards are around Obama's daughters every hour of the day which means their schools too....do you think those little darlings are traumatized...I don't think so, I would imagine they feel pretty darn safe.
Â
 @minniemouse Problem is that there have been shootings at schools that have armed gardens (Columbine) and in places where there are plenty of people with guns (Ft. Hood).
 @Jenni S.  @minniemouseÂ
Just an FYI, Ft hood soldiers did not have ammo for the weapons. There are only two places where soldiers get live rounds. At the firing range and in the battle field.
Â
Only police have live ammo.
 @Jenni S.  @minniemouse Contrary to popular belief no one had guns at Ft. Hood. Generally speaking military bases are gun free zones.
 @Jenni S.  Those gunmen were already on the inside. And that is only 2 examples. How many examples are there of armed wackos getting inside an unarmed facility? Too many!
 @Jenni S. I have never seen an armed garden...Fort Hood shooter should have never been in our military...Soldiers on a base should be able to trust their fellow soldiers.....and not have a terrorist as part of the group
 @minniemouse LOL... once again doing too many things at once - armed guards, not gardens.Â
While I commend the officer going to the school on his day off, he could be in a bit of hot water because he was in uniform. Though, that may not be the case. I was just thinking that if he was "off duty" he should not be in uniform.
 @Mark With the department already sending officers to campuses because of threats, I am sure they were happy that he was there and it was one less campus they had to cover with an on-duty officer.
Â
Officers also do a lot of activities when they are "off duty" where they wear their uniforms. It's pretty common. My friend's dad used to do security at our school dances and he was wearing his uniform. His department was completely fine with it.
 @Mark I had similar thoughts on whether or not the officer should have done this. On the other hand, child safety is very important I feel. I have three kids in school and would love it if the West Linn police were that way.
who pays for his off duty gas?
 @James Murdock That would be his wife
 @James Murdock My son attends that school and if there is a problem that he used tax payer gas then I would gladly pay for any gas he uses to help keep these kids safe.
 @James Murdock It doesn't say he was in a Police car...he probably drove his own car and paid for his own gas...what a petty question
 @James Murdock Here a lot of the Officers are on call and have their Patrol cars at their homes...this happens a lot in small towns
 @minniemouse says he drove up in his patrol car. Do these guys get to do what they please at all times?
 @James Murdock If this means the kids are safe, why should we worry about gas?