Westview football coach accused of slapping students at camp resigns

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A Westview High School head football coach, who is also a Hillsboro police officer, faces accusations of using violence to wake students at a football camp in McMinnville and has now resigned, police and school officials say.

The coach, Jamal Jones, has resigned from his position at the high school, according to a letter sent to Westview football athletes and their families on Wednesday obtained by KOIN 6 News from Beaverton School District.

"Our goal is to work to ensure our players and their families feel safe returning to the Westview football program and for our student athletes to be able to look forward to a successful season," Principal Matt Pedersen said in the letter. "We are committed to building a program that models the expectations of our community and reflects the values of our school."

McMinnville police were called to a “welfare check” at the camp at Linfield University around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday morning to investigate the coach’s alleged attempts to wake up students “in the early morning hours by shaking and/or slapping them while they were sleeping.”

The camp began Saturday and included teams from various schools.

During their investigation, McMinnville police discovered Jones is a full-time police officer with the Hillsboro Police Department, according to investigators. He has since been placed on administrative leave from both positions, but has not been formally charged with a criminal offense.

The McMinnville Police Department said their ongoing investigation will determine whether any criminal offenses took place at the football camp. Officers are currently contacting students and their parents.

“Since this is an active investigation, we are not able to publicly share further details about the incident, except to say that we are not aware of any students being physically injured during the incident,” McMinnville police said in a statement.

Anyone with information about Jones or the alleged acts of violence is encouraged to contact the McMinnville Police Department.

The Hillsboro Police Department sent the following statement to KOIN 6 News.

"The Hillsboro Police Department is aware of allegations made against one of our officers, who at the time was not acting in the capacity of a Hillsboro employee," Lt. Doug Ehrich said. "The employee is on leave pending the investigation of the incident."

The Beaverton School District confirmed knowledge of the investigation, but said they cannot comment on pending matters.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.