High school officer fired his gun accidentally
Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, seen in 208 from in front of the neighboring library. (Photo: Marc Levy)
A high school resource officer discharged their firearm accidentally at around 1:45 p.m Tuesday on campus, according to a Cambridge Public Schools email.
The Cambridge Police Department youth resource officer assigned to Cambridge Rindge and Latin School at 459 Broadway, Mid-Cambridge, fired the shot accidentally while using a first-floor, single-stall staff bathroom inside the school, and there were no injuries. He “removed his department-issued firearm from its holster and it unintentionally discharged,” police spokesperson Robert Goulston said.
The officer, Frank Greenidge, immediately notified department supervisors and the school administration and police officials responded to the scene to investigate; the school day was not disrupted, officials said. Goulston said Greenidge has been on the department since 1987 “and is highly regarded in the school district.” The officer has never before had an accidental discharge.
Cambridge police responded and processed the scene, Goulston said. The district attorney and State Police were told of the incident, but the “agencies have deferred the case back to CPD for internal investigation.”
Cambridge has been sued by one of its officers who says the Sig Sauer P320 9 mm firearm used by department officers fires on its own. He is suing the gunmaker as well, like several other users nationwide. Goulston said late Tuesday that the school officer was carrying the standard issued firearm – the same Sig Sauer p320.
The district and department “value their long-standing partnership, as the youth resource officer program is a vital aspect of maintaining safe and welcoming learning environments within our school communities,” the district release said.
Cambridge police YROs are sworn law enforcement officers selected and trained to promote safety within schools, the department said. Cambridge police have seven school resource officers in the district, two of whom are assigned to the high school, Goulston said. The rest are assigned to middle schools, and each middle school officer also works in the feeder elementary schools for their assigned middle school.
A larger excerpt from the official announcement to parents:
“CPS and CPD value their longstanding partnership as the Youth Resource Officer program is a vital aspect of maintaining safe and welcoming learning environments within our school communities.
Sincerely,
Dr. Greer”
This is a completely ridiculous thing to say in light of what just happened. Isn’t it high time to send “Dr. Greer” off with Claudine Gay, and for similar reasons?
Well that’s going to flush this guy’s reputation down the crapper.
Talk about not being on the bingo card….Absolutely bonkers.
It’s not clear why a school resource officer ought to be carrying a gun in the first place. About 10% of countries have unarmed police.
See: https://time.com/5854986/police-reform-defund-unarmed-guns/
As much as I’m not ready to go that far, there are contexts where guns are inappropriate. School seems like one of those contexts. It certainly doesn’t make for “welcoming learning environments within our school communities.”
I’d be just as interested in knowing how often the police use pull out those guns.
If an emergency arises, the school resource officer ought can retrieve a gun from a safe at the school and / or call for backup.
@nimbus if anyone wants to find improper citations in Greer’s dissertation acknowledgments, I’d not be sorry to see her go.
Unintentional discharge and drop firing are well-known problems with the Sig Sauer P320, have caused numerous injuries, and are the subject of several lawsuits. The Massachusetts State Police and the Somerville PD also use this weapon, as do other local departments, likely because it is made nearby, in New Hampshire. Time for a change!
Cops cannot be trusted to keep people safe. They are the danger.
School police should not exist and they absolutely should not be armed.
“More than 80 percent of students who have been assaulted by school police since 2011 have been Black. Eleven percent of the assaults have been directed against Latinx students, and about 3 percent at white students” https://www.edweek.org/leadership/students-of-color-disproportionately-suffer-from-police-assaults-at-school-says-report/2023/01#:~:text=More%20than%2080%20percent%20of,to%20the%20Advancement%20Project's%20analysis.
More info on disparities in impacts: https://www.cfjj.org/policing-in-schools
And they have never, ever, stopped a school shooting: “Multiple studies have found no association between the presence of armed officers in schools and the deterrence of violence.” https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2022/do-armed-school-police-officers-prevent-shootings/
The email from superintendent Greer mentioned it was a “youth resource officer”.
Today in the Boston Globe it says Frank Greenidge has been with the Cambridge Police Department since 1987. I mean that’s 37yrs so unless he started at 1 yrs old it’s a bit of a stretch to call him a “youth” resource officer as if he’s a youngster.
This is so appalling. Is it too much to ask that Dr Greer or someone explain in detail how many schools have guns in them!?
Seriously.
Do all the elementary schools ?
Do all the middle schools?
We now know the high school does BECAUSE A BULLET was discharged in the bathroom DURING the CRLS school day.
Maybe a SC member can reply and let the community know?
Finally slaw and prc agree!
Nimbus and Q99
This is typical. If you can’t fault her on her behavior, you dig into her past. How sporting of you. Is your past record spotless? I hope so.