Columbus High School to have armed officer on campus

Downey police officer Mike Pope (now retired) working as a school resource officer at Downey High School in 2018. (Photo by Eric Pierce)

DOWNEY – Columbus High School will have an armed police officer on campus this coming school year after the City Council approved an agreement with the Downey Unified School District on Tuesday.

The City Council previously agreed to place police officers at Downey High School and Warren High School campuses.

To help cover the cost for a school resource officer at Columbus High, the non-profit organization Gangs Out of Downey is providing a $12,500 grant. Downey Unified will be billed for costs over that amount.

The officer will be expected to walk the halls and common areas of campus to prevent crime, and serve as a role model and mentor for students, according to terms of the agreement.