Investigation video released by the Kenosha Unified School District shows an off-duty Kenosha police officer put his knee on the neck of a 12-year-old girl to restrain her for more than 20 seconds while endeavouring to break up a fight in the cafeteria of Lincoln Middle School.
The video includes diverse positions of the instance without sound. It shows a battle begin between two students as an off-duty officer tries to break it up before either being smash or falling backward with one of the students. It appears he hits his head on the verge of a nearby table. Shortly after, the off-duty officer is seen on top of the student and look as if to push her head into the ground with one hand and then place his knee on her neck for about 25 seconds, seeming to spread over the pressure of his body weight at some points.
The video shows that the 12-year-old girl, who cannot be named as she is a minor, is eventually handcuffed, picked up and led away.
The family’s attorney, Drew DeVinney, said that the officer’s knee was on her neck for an unacceptable period. The attorney said in a statement that this was a harsh and cruel act of violence intended at a child and is intolerable in our society. He said that the girl’s father is shocked by what he has seen in the video and is demanding the Kenosha Police Department to straightaway dismiss this officer.
The officer was off-duty at the time and working part-time as a school security guard, but he has since resigned from his position with the school district. Kenosha Police Department did not answer when asked about the level of any injuries the officer may have sustained as part of this incident. However, police did indorse that a criminal charge of disorderly behaviour has been bring up to the court system for both juveniles involved in the incident.
The Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office specified that there is generally a 40-day window before the facts of any juvenile case like this, if not settled before, could make it to their office for any possible verdict on a formal charge.
Mac Hardy, Director of Operations for the National Association of School Resource Officers said that there is no pretty arrest, but added that they are never trained to put their knee on the back of anyone’s neck. He said that he has never been aware of any training anywhere in regards to that. Mac Hardy also pointed to exact issues that would help regulate the type of response used in a school fight situation like this, including the age and the size of the children involved.
He said that he would’ve liked to see more teachers and more school staff in that condition than that school security officer as he recognized being in school is unlike what you get on the streets. Not every police officer is cut out to be a School Resource Officer.
In regards to the restraint used, a school instance report provided by DeVinney, the girl’s attorney, shows there was pressure on the student’s neck or that otherwise block the student’s circulation or breathing and that the student was placed in a prone position.The report also says the restraint did not cause any chest compression and there was sufficient care to protecting the student’s head, regardless of a screenshot appearing to show the off-duty officer holding the student’s head to the ground.
Kenosha Unified School District policy says that physical restraint on a student would be permitted in certain situations, including when a student is presenting a clear, present and imminent risk to the safety of others and as long as it’s not a forbidden maneuver or method. But putting pressure on the student’s neck, on an artery, or on the back of the student’s head or neck, or that otherwise obstructs the student’s circulation or breathing is among those prohibited maneuvers or techniques, as is placing a student in a prone position chest down, back up.
Tanya Ruder, chief communications officer for the Kenosha Unified School District said that the internal employment investigation has concluded. Tanya added that as it appears that this incident may lead to lawsuit, the district will provide no further details at this time.
The Kenosha Professional Police Association has not made any official comment.
