Ex-Westview football coach arrested following student slapping allegations
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An Ex-Westview High School football coach now faces charges following accusations of hitting students at football camp.
Jamal Jones, 32, the now ex-Westview football coach and an officer with Hillsboro police, was taken into custody on 12 counts of harassment on July 10, McMinnville Police said.
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According to authorities, police were called to Linfield College at around 4:30 a.m. on June 25 for a welfare check to investigate claims that Jones was shaking and slapping the football players to wake them up.
Shortly after the incident, Jones resigned from his position at Westview High School and was put on administrative leave by Hillsboro police.
During the investigation, investigators said they conducted numerous interviews and collected video records of the incident. Police said that the evidence determined probable cause existed for Jones’s arrest on multiple counts of harassment.
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On Wednesday, Jones turned himself in to McMinnville police. A few hours later, Chief Jim Coleman of Hillsboro police released the following statement:
First and foremost, the City of Hillsboro Police Department is concerned for the physical and emotional wellbeing of Beaverton School District students who were participating in an activity that should be both safe and a positive experience. Adults entrusted with student care have a clear responsibility for their actions and the environment they create.
The department views community involvement outside of regular work hours as a positive way for employees to have balance in their lives and a healthy perspective in how they approach service in public safety. Coaching youth athletics is one of the variety of ways our staff are involved in their local communities. This coaching takes place on many different levels, from coaching one’s own children in a volunteer capacity to paid part-time positions during off-duty hours.
The allegations stemming from the football camp recently held in McMinnville are concerning and inconsistent with our past experiences with having employees involved in coaching. Officer Jamal Jones, who has been with the department for approximately 3 years, was placed on Administrative Leave the same morning the department became aware an incident had occurred. He will remain in that status as this case proceeds criminally and while the department conducts its own personnel investigation. Any department investigations will be appropriately timed with consideration for the criminal matter.
The incident is still under investigation under the supervision of the Yamhill County District Attorney’s Office.
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