The video above has caused a public outcry after a South Carolina school resource officer identified as Richland County Sheriff’s Department Senior Deputy Ben Fields is shown tossing a female high school student to the floor and dragging her from a classroom after she refused to get up and leave with him. Fields has been placed on paid administrative leave.
Fields was reportedly called in because the student would not get off her cellphone or leave the class as instructed. The 15-second video shows Fields asking the student “Are You Coming With Me or am I Going to Make You? Come on. I’m going to get you up.” What follows is the scuffle where the student ends up on the floor and being pulled by Fields. Fields is heard saying “I’ll put you in jail next.”
The site 'Heavy' has reported that Fields is already the subject of a lawsuit alleging violations of the civil rights of a student at Spring Valley High School. The student, Ashton James Reese, was expelled in 2013 from the high school for “unlawful assembly of gang activity and assault and battery” and was also accused of participating in a “gang related” fight in a Walmart parking lot near the school. In the lawsuit, he [Fields] is accused of “recklessly targeting African-American students with allegations of gang membership and criminal gang activity.”
The Columbia mayor has denounced Fields and said “We cannot and will not accept this kind of behavior from any law enforcement officer and I firmly believe that we need an independent investigation to get to the bottom of this incident and see that justice is done.”
Given that this was all about cellphone use, is there any justification for this level of force in your view?
TWO OPINIONS GARNERED FROM READERS:
Michma says:
Wouldn’t get off her cell phone during class? Wouldn’t leave the class? Wouldn’t leave with the police officer? Do you really think she’d be sweet talked into compliance? Or should it have been a gentle fight with the officer while also clinging to her desk. Or should they just allow disruptive kids to make the rules?The physical confrontation looked brutal, but it isn’t clear to me that a half measure would have been effective, nor would letting her have her way be good for her or anyone else in the classroom.Perhaps the real problem is that there are a lot of disturbed children in schools who could really benefit from a therapeutic school, but the money isn’t allocated and it can be legally challenging to force kids into these programs.
Darren Smith says:My opinion is that the amount and level of force was not reasonable given the circumstances, that is the classroom situation, no criminal activity on behalf of the student, and the fact that I could not see any evidence of force used against the deputy. I think it is likely the deputy will be found to have violated department policy but not likely to be criminally prosecuted.I did find it almost comical how the mayor jumped all over this situation and then called for an Independent Investigation to make sure justice is served. Seems he is convinced only one outcome will meet his satisfaction. But he is a mayor so I don’t see how this matters when the sheriff is actually the person in charge.
First thing I saw this morning on the news , just horrible . It has to be a better way to handle problem kids , I would like to know why she was on the cell phone , why her parents or guardians wasn't call ?
ReplyDeleteThis is the same officer that was involved in a lawsuit involving some gang related activity / fight not long ago .Regardless , he had no business throwing her across the room . He needs his ass kicked , It has to be a better way .
It is also the parents / guardians fault , we as parents should realize we need to keep in contact with the schools to see how not only our kids are doing but also their teachers .
The kids in video seem to be scared to just look up .
All I can say is the dumb-ass officer better watch his back . I wondered what Fields would do if it was one of those big black football jocks .
The mayor called for an independent investigation , what a load of crap , he is trying to help cover Fields ass . That's the sheriff's job . Look out S.C. here come Al Sharpton . Maybe they are mad because they had to take down their Rebel flag . Watch your back Ben Fields .
Good post PIC
Love BAW
Thanks PIC.
ReplyDeleteIT's true that kids are getting more bold in school and mouthy, but what are we teaching them when we react with violence. Shouldn't the schools do a better background check on their security people.?? And you are right about parents distancing themselves from their kids' schools. They have careers and their own agendas and don't want to spend the time it takes to stay in touch.
I can't get a handle on that mayor. He should have investigated on the down low, not gone so public . And Fields should have been fired on the spot.
Great comment, appreciate it
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