[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

First, police officers have full arrest powers 24 hours day within their jurisdiction. Second, most officers have authority (read: are not required) to carry their weapons at all times. And even if an officer is required to carry his weapon at all times, I would have to believe that their are exceptions to the rule.

The officer in this posting used extremely poor judgement in having his weapon with him on the bench. If I were the Referee in this game, I would not care what arrangement the coach had made with game management, the police officer would have two choices:

1) Leave his weapon in a secure place and be bench personnel. Or,

2) Be a fan in the stands, WITHOUT his weapon.

NFHS R2-S3 gives the Referee authority to make decisions on any points not specifically covered in the Rules. And, this is one of them.

The police officer may required to wear his weapon at all times, but he does not have an absolute to participate in the game. The Referee is in control of everything between the lines and that includes the team benches and the scorer/timer table and in the case of an armed fan. There are times when the Referee has as to use his brains (and his intestinal fortitude) and grab the bull by the tail and face the situation. While I would normally advise game management about problem fans and let them handle the fan using their best judgement, this is one of the few times I would have no probem requiring game management to not allow a fan (including an off-duty police offer) with a weapon to be allowed within the confines of the gym or building. A high school athletic event is no place for an armed coach or an armed fan.

As the father of two boys (ages 8 and 11) who are active in sports, if a coach of either team showed up on the bench for one of their games, they would not be participating in that game unless the weapon was removed.