Jenn C just commented on here about the debate over School Resource Officers (SROs) in Delaware schools and if they are needed or not. There are valid arguments about the issue, but with the controversy over Officer Fields down in South Carolina, more people are talking about this. As a father of a student with disabilities, this mother’s fear is very real to parents. And what happened to her child is absolutely appalling. I hope she gets some sort of justice on this matter.
Training is the key. My daughter is restrained when all of her other supports fail. I do know that her entire team including the principal and other support staff are trained and if she says “you are hurting me” they have to let go. That being said – more SROs is not the answer. I met with Rep. Williams about an incident last year where the SROs got involved with a student with a BIP and IEP and removed the student from school and took him to the local hospital where he was committed and parental rights were removed even when mom was right there and no one consulted her. This incident in the media recently is not the first of over the top abuse of power by SROs. I have been fighting them being in the schools because of the stats showing that special needs kids, at risk kids and minorities suffer when police are present. I have been fighting for years and it seems no one is listening.
http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/education/2013/11/10/a-special-needs-debate-over-police-in-schools/3485837/
The Season Of Myths 