A side note to police in schools and handcuffs

[mstang67chic]

In my area, we do have what's called a resource officer at our local high school (as well as many others in the area I believe). In our school, he is a full time police officer who is assigned to the school. Handcuffs are used there and as far as I'm aware, only in "arrest" situations. Although I'm sure they have been used to help ensure that a violent student is safely restrained. My son has been cuffed a couple of times as it is official procedure (he was arrested at school for theft) but in his case, when he was led out through the school from the office, the officer removed them and didn't put them back on until they were outside by the officer's car. (Just so happened that the time they were going out was when there were a lot of students around). I believe he was also handcuffed in middle school once when he was arrested for fighting, also procedure, but I don't remember if they did the same thing for him or if there were even other kids around. The particular officer at the high school is very good with the kids and explains to them why he does everything he does. He also makes sure that he follows procedures to the T when dealing with minors; calls me or husband, doesn't question difficult child until we get there, reads him his rights, etc.

With that said however, I can't imagine, as mentioned in the other post, handcuffing a younger child like that. I may have been wrong, but I assumed when reading that post that the teacher was near by and I'm guessing she told the officer that the child is Aspie??? I understand needing to get the child somewhere safe and in a safe manner but handcuffs?

I'm kind of on the fence about having this guy get training. To me that sounds like it could go either way. He could have a "light bulb" moment and understand or could take it that he knows it all now and wind up doing more harm than good or just being a plain idiot about it. I've seen so many people who get very basic training in whatever area and think that they are all of a sudden big experts and foul things up even more by trying to "help". I've had friends or acquaintences ask me about difficult child type stuff and I try to be as vague as possible with them. Most of what I know relates soley to difficult child and I know enough to know that I really don't know squat. I have no desire to give out advice on stuff that I've never had intense training or education on so I usually wind up telling them to see a doctor or therapist if I even suggest anything at all.

 

[kris]

<font color="blue"> RESOURSE OFFICER that's the term i couldn't pull out of my head this morning. that's what we call them here too. it's usually a one or two year assignment. they are county sherrifs & full time, fully trained officers.

there was an incident a while ago where a kindergartener was taken to the principal's office & proceeded to tear the office apaart. the RO cuffed her....they did release her but i think they waited for the mom to come to the school which was a whole other issue.

these officers walk a thin line most of the time. the ones i've had contact with-care deeply about the kids they serve....but they are always aware that bottom line everyone's safety is on the line.

kris </font>

 

[DammitJanet]

We have the resource officers in our schools too. I cant remember if they are in the elementary schools all the time or not but I know they are by middle school.

Ours have always been pretty good. Cory had an intimate working relationship with them...lol. He has been cuffed by them in HS but that was because he was being a total jerk.

We also have something quite unique here...or at least I think it is unique...it is called the Dare Band. It is made up of the DARE officers and they have made up a band that shows up at local events and plays music. They are quite good and the kids love them. I can remember taking my kids as 6 and 8 year olds to Christmas concerts to hear the Dare Band play. They also play at the 4th of July events.

Over Xmas one of the members of the band saw Jamie at home and they recognized each other. Well I doubt the guy really had a clue who Jamie was but Jamie recognized him. Jamie told him that he was a MP in the Marines and was going to be a cop. You should have seen the look on the guys face! It was like...omg...we got thru to one...lmao.

The Dare Band is all part of our Community Policing policy. I really think that is a good thing.

 

[Sunlight]

I too have had my son in cuffs but in the high school bldg only and in the principals office then escorted out by township police.

I am appalled if a 7 yr old was cuffed at all.

 

[dreamer]

ours is called school cop or police liason. Ours is a full cty cop for the tonw our school is in and when not working at the school, say during summer vacation- he has regular patrol duties.
Ours has been with our school now over 15 years and knows the majority of the kids and their siblings by name upon sight.and also where a huge number of them live etc. Sadly he is retiring from working at school this year-- in private he said it was so hard to watch the kids grow, he has known them all their school life, and then it breaks his heart when he is working away from school and the kids get arrested or in a tragic accident etc. He said it makes him feel like he did not do good enough by those kids. :-( - but I would think after this many years, well....job burnout could be a factor. Sadly- the school head custodian has been at the school the same length of time, and besides being head custodian she also does all kinds of lil fun things in school on the side------and has been a huge volunteer for all the school parties and special events etc......and she left school recently to take a job at grocery store deli counter for similar reasons--it was a consuming job that just stated to be hard if you are putting your whole heart into it. SO, it is our loss......
:-(

 

[ROE]

Our resource officers are only in the middle and high schools. I can't imagine cuffing a younger child.