Woodburn school resource officer placed on leave following alleged 'negative' social media activity

Virginia Barreda
Salem Statesman Journal

A Woodburn school resource officer was placed on administrative leave following concerns from community members about alleged social media activity suggesting "violence."

The Woodburn Police Department received information from a community member on Monday prompting a personnel investigation the following day, officials said.

The officer was reassigned from the School Resource Officer program and placed on administrative leave due to the "urgency of the allegations."

The officer has not been identified and details of the social media activity were not immediately released. 

“The information I read and saw is troubling and disturbing and we are committed to a full and transparent investigation,” said Woodburn Police Chief Jim Ferraris. “The content of the complaint does not reflect the values of the Woodburn Police Department, nor do we condone any violence as suggested from the information in the complaint.”

Ferraris said the personnel investigation would be completed as swiftly as possible to "get to the truth ... and make decisions about this matter."

With consultation from the Woodburn School District, Ferraris suspended the SRO program pending a review of the program and an opportunity to seek input from the community and school district partners.

Virginia Barreda is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at 503-399-6657 or at vbarreda@statesmanjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.