by Tracy Scherer

In the wake of Virginia Tech, Columbine and other school shootings, too lengthy to list, everyone is on a heightened state of alert. Police, parents, students, administrators and even businesses review their contingency plans and tactical responses. We all consider, "What would I do if?"

Unfortunately, I had a brief encounter with the "what if" on Thursday, April 26. It was a strange sensation, and it started me thinking about the way we, as police officers, are doing business.

My daughter is a second grader at Rohwer Elementary at 177^th and "F" Street. The school is located in Douglas County, just outside the Omaha city limits. She attends Kids Net, the before and after school program. That day, I arrived to pick her up at approximately 4:20 and was given a letter by the director of Kids Net. The letter was very short and void of details. It simply stated the school, Kids Net Program, had gone on a mini-lockdown. A parent had been approached by a deputy sheriff and was asked about a shooting in the area. This parent approached the director, who asked the principal, who had no information and decided to keep the kids secure in the gym. It stated the principal contacted Douglas County and had no further information.

Once I left I checked the area around the school and found no deputies lingering. I called Douglas County dispatch, identified myself as an OPD officer, and I was told they had received a call from a cell phone about a shooting in the area of 174^th and "F". The operator informed me they were having trouble confirming the call and "a Lincoln car had just called in." The operator then said she could not release any more information. I am unaware of what a "Lincoln" car is and what occurred.

The very next day, an Omaha citizen called South Investigations to ask about an incident at Castellar School in south Omaha. She stated she was dropping children off at school and police were in the area. She said the police began driving around the school at a high rate of speed and, although the details are sketchy, it appears there may have been some sort of short foot pursuit. The caller said she had talked to the principal who again had no information.

This caller asked, as I did the previous day, "Why wouldn’t someone go in to let the school know all was well?" As a courtesy, especially when children and parents are present, we should be aware of the message we are sending. At my school, there will be meetings, protocol will be checked and parents of each student are informed of the incident. Still, no one knows for sure exactly what happened or what amount of danger anyone was in. At Castellar, we left an image, possibly of recklessness. Each could be a positive interaction, with five minutes of conversation about what had occurred and how we protected the students.

I have not been able to locate a policy, which directs officers to inform schools of such incidents. I am asking officers to stop and think about the parents, administrators and students. Take the extra time, just to let them know they are safe. When you think tactically, also think how you would react if it were your child. We have the chance to prove we are the "good guys" just by stopping and giving out a little information.

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