ACLU: More police in schools could threaten students’ civil rights and liberties

[cthulu2016]

For only the millionth time, the ACLU's concerns seem to mirror mine. There may often be an upside to cops in schools but a downside to cops in schools is that Sandy Hook doesn't happen every day. Most of the cop's time is spent thinking of people to arrest who are not school shooters. And there is a difference for a kid caught with drugs, for instance, between being caught by a teacher versus being caught by a police officer.

I understand the propossal, because it is really just stimulus spending for school personel, and having nothing much to do with guns. And I favor such stimulus.

But I also don't think schools should resemble prisons any more than they absolutely have to.

January 16, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: [phone]; [e-mail]

WASHINGTON — President Obama today announced 23 executive actions and proposed legislative action stemming from Vice President Biden’s Gun Task Force. The ACLU had this reaction to the President’s announcement:

“Many of the presidential actions announced today are thoughtful, and the ACLU is assessing all of the proposals that have been put forth. We have several concerns about the administration incentivizing police departments and school districts to put more police officers in schools,” said Laura W. Murphy, director of the ACLU’s Washington Legislative Office. “We fear that neutral sounding safety policies, such as putting more cops in school will lead to the over-incarceration of school-age children, especially students of color and students with disabilities, who are disproportionately arrested and prosecuted for issues that would normally be handled by school administrators when law enforcement is introduced into schools.”

The ACLU urges both Congress and the administration to put in place active measures to insure non-discrimination and to protect the civil rights of young people, otherwise the results could be devastating. Schools should be encouraged to use funding for efforts that proactively improve learning opportunities and school climate for all students, such as training for teachers, additional counselors and health professionals, and more evidence-based programs to support students.

“Teachers and administrators should have the ability to teach and to retain primary control over the punishment of students,” Murphy stated. “Despite the president’s best intentions, funding more police officers in schools will turn sanctuaries for education into armed fortresses.”

http://www.aclu.org/criminal-law-reform/aclu-responds-president-obamas-announcement-gun-control

[arcane1]

1. If they put cops in schools, I'm buying stock in Tasers and pepper-spray

Because you KNOW they will start getting involved in basic discipline and dealing with rowdy or disobedient kids.

[cthulu2016]

2. And unlike teachers, they are trained to put the perp DOWN

Which is fine when the perp is a school shooter, but scary in all other school-house instances

[uponit7771]

3. Persecution of Hispanic black kids will go up even more