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#SpringValleyHigh: Classmates Dismiss Claims That Female Student Was ‘Disruptive’ Before Violent Arrest by White Officer

By | Published on October 26, 2015
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A video surfaced online Monday afternoon of an incident inside of a classroom between a Spring Valley High School student and a school resource officer.

In the video, a female student is approached by a police officer while sitting at her desk in a classroom where several other students are present. An officer can be seen grabbing the student’s arm and placing his own arm around the student’s neck before yanking her from her seat.  Once the student is on the ground, the officer drags the student across the floor and out of the view of the camera.

According to Sheriff Leon Lott, the school resource officer was acting in response to a student who was being disruptive in class and resisting arrest.

“The student was told she was under arrest for disturbing school and given instructions which she again refused,” Lott said. “The video then shows the student resisting and being arrested by the SRO.”

Students present in the classroom posted on twitter disputing the account.

Richland School District Two. Superintendent Dr. Libby Roof released the following statement:

“Our District is deeply concerned about an incident that occurred at Spring Valley High School today. The incident took place between a school resource officer employed by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and a student. Video of the incident is circulating on social media.

“Student safety is and always will be the District’s top priority. The District will not tolerate any actions that jeopardize the safety of our students.

“Upon learning of the incident, school and district administrators began an investigation. We are working closely and in full cooperation with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department to conduct a thorough and complete investigation.

“Pending the outcome of the investigation, the District has directed that the school resource officer not return to any school in the District.”

 

About 70 percent of students involved in in-school arrests or referred to law enforcement are Black or Hispanic, according to SuspensionStories.com. Many on twitter provided evidence of how often similar incidents occurred at Spring Valley High and nation wide.

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