Spokane7
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March 7, 2011 in City
Face Time: Johnson looks back on four decades with police
Spokane police Maj. Scott Johnson, originally hired to help handle Expo ’74, retired last month after nearly four decades on the force.
(Full-size photo)
Scott Johnson joined the Spokane Police Department in 1974 as one of dozens of officers hired to patrol the world’s fair.
He retired last month as one of the department’s two majors, in charge of patrol operations.
The nearly 40 years Johnson spent on the force saw him work nearly every position at the department. He’s seen the tragic, the bizarre and the wonderful, and after decades on the job, he said one thing is clear: Truth is stranger than fiction.
Q. How did you get started with the department?
A. I was 21 years old and just wanted to be a cop. I was laid off after Expo, then hired back about two years later and went through the full academy.
It’s kind of ironic. I didn’t want to sit behind a desk, and then I ended up sitting behind a desk for the latter part of my career.
Q. What’s the best part of the job?
A. The people. I’ve gotten to work with all sorts of great people. And I don’t say that lightly – I really mean that. Variety is really what kept me engaged. One of the best parts of this job is you get to see all sorts of different things. You may be sent on 100 DUI calls, and none of them are the same.
Q. What never changed during your career?
A. The human things like heartache. We get called to a place and somebody has a (sudden infant death syndrome) death. Those things don’t change. Those parents’ hearts are ripped out.
Q. What bothers you about the job?
A. I think the lack of respect that our police officers get. It’s really hard to see our guys get beat up all the time and not get the recognition they deserve. Police officers come from this imperfect gene pool called the human race. I’m a firm believer that we should be held to a higher standard, but we are still people. Every night our guys are out there taking calls and responding to stuff no one else would want to.
Q. How has society changed?
A. When I first came in as a patrol officer, if an officer was to find someone with a gun or firearm during a traffic stop or something, it was kind of headline news in the department. Now, it’s not even talked about because it’s so commonplace.
Q. Are there any calls you’ve responded to that you know you’ll never forget?
A. About 30 or 35 years ago, we got a report of a domestic violence shooting in north Spokane. When I arrived at the house, the guy was lying on the lawn dead, and his 5- or 6-year-old son was running around near the body. The boy was wearing a shirt that says “My dad is a member of” I won’t say the gang. His mom had shot the guy in self-defense. You look at the impact that parents have on kids, just the tragic circumstances that parents put their kids in. I sometimes wonder whatever happened to that boy.
Q. You said you’ll be vacationing in Hawaii but plan to continue living in Spokane. Do you have any other plans for your retirement?
A. The correct answer is “I am going to do whatever my wife wants me to do.”
Human trafficking suspects released 
Albert on March 07 at 7:23 a.m.
“I think the lack of respect that our police officers get. It’s really hard to see our guys get beat up all the time and not get the recognition they deserve.”
Really? I believe Otto, or Shonto might give shed some reasons for this “lack of respect”. Perhaps you might like to poll the citizens of Spokane sometime and find out why they hold the SPD as the lowest of the low. Storm Troopers who treat the citizens like they are all criminals. Here is a very timely link that hit me between the eyes on this very matter.
http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/week-s-end/coming-full-circle-1.347088
If you read this good Major, then “perhaps” you can see why we all despise the SPD.
TheRoyLarsen on March 07 at 7:38 a.m.
Timely? The link you provided referenced an article on the Nazis.
Albert on March 07 at 8:09 a.m.
Roy…did you read what was affixed on the sign that the attorney was carrying? Please think “Otto”, “Shonto”, along with yet another recently reported civil trial that was lost by a victim who criticized the police. After you read what is on the sign within the photo, the impact will hit you. Forget the article content, read the sign in the photo.
bszottlinger on March 07 at 8:13 a.m.
Albert:
We don’t all despise the SPD. Some do, but in most cases those are the people that just don’t understand how many great cops there are out there over shadowed by a few bad ones. To compare the SPD to Nazis is pretty low isn’t it? It makes you sound like some of the less then professional cops that post on here occasionally.
This fellow that is retiring sounds like a pretty good fellow, and I notice he doesn’t attribute the lack of respect to the community as a whole
What a great answer to this question!
“Q. What bothers you about the job?
A. I think the lack of respect that our police officers get. It’s really hard to see our guys get beat up all the time and not get the recognition they deserve. Police officers come from this imperfect gene pool called the human race. I’m a firm believer that we should be held to a higher standard, but we are still people. Every night our guys are out there taking calls and responding to stuff no one else would want to. “
He points out that police officers are imperfect, should be held to a higher standard, and do things no one else wants to. The best comment I’ve read from any police administrator in some time. This sounds like one administrator the SPD needs! It is too bad he is gone, I hope there are more like him still around.
Thank You for your service Major Johnson, enjoy your retirement!
BitofBacon on March 07 at 9:07 a.m.
Oh Albert, I think if you actually polled all of the citizens of Spokane, you might be surprised at the support they give the police department. I know I’m behind them 100% and so are a lot of my neighbors.
Justsayin' on March 07 at 10:01 a.m.
Okay, here’s the thing. I believe most of the officers on the SPD are honest and do their jobs well. The thing that bothers me is that I am sure there are some bad apples on the force and the good ones know about them. What does it say about the good ones, when the bad apples are allowed to continue in their jobs? Why don’t the good ones help weed out the bad? It would certainly help the image of the SPD.
Just sayin’
Gary Garrison
bszottlinger on March 07 at 10:18 a.m.
Gary Garrison:
I’ll give you a hint! It starts with an “L” !
Ron_the_Cop on March 07 at 11:46 a.m.
Brad,
I KNOW! I KNOW! - L E A D E R S H I P -
I too am a strong supporter of the police rank and file. The issues others that post here are vocal about have everything to do with ineffective police leadership. The police rank and file deserve better.
The question is whether our Mayor and Council have the backbone to make the changes that are necessary
Please see my A Report and Analysis - Creach OIS Investigation as an example of this point:
http://tinyurl.com/4ohxhd9
Det. Ron Wright (Retired)
DickAdams on March 07 at 12:14 p.m.
No question, there are more good cops than bad. However, the leadership in Spokane has caused much of the problem. Both Mayor Verner and Police Chief need to be booted. Both should be replaced with individuals with leadership credentials, honesty and integrity. That will fix the mess we`ve put ourselves in.
bszottlinger on March 07 at 12:34 p.m.
Ron_the_Cop:
After this came out in the press, I called several people, here is the synopsis of what I got:
Great guy, very smart, should have been considered for chief, will confront when necessary but only from the standpoint of being right, Worked IA and knows it ain’t too good now, got stomped on when he should not have been, Was happy to see the liar ahead of him was forced to retire but sat back and did the right thing. Kirkpatrick knows he is a threat( She loves Nicks) but he handled it well.
I hope there are others there that won’t stand for it!