Well I've sealed with this @signed papers if need the RSO could do so if need if my child was hurting him self or someone else, What are they to do with these kids today? They are rude disrespect ful@ at home the parents can't handle them, I hate the student was hurt,and knowing as a parent you are mad, put think how your child is at home!!! If they are a problem at home this might be their wake up call, If they are no problem!!!! Then do what it take's by law to stop this RSO for doing wrong. Prayer to both side's.
Nacholawyer - 8 years ago
Again, the predicate offense was likely not one that would have called for police intervention. It may have been disturbing the peace, or violative of South Carolina's particular statute for disturbing a classroom. Nonetheless, police officers are to escalate appropriately in the situation. It's the reason we have a separate juvenile system, and the reason that the force was not appropriate given the size differential between the officer and the subject.
As stated below, he could have used other means, even non-lethal tasing or pepper spray after clearing out the other students. Also, an officer would in many jurisdictions move to cover and further restrain a suspect taken to the ground rather than tossing him or her farther from his zone of control (e.g. rear control restraint). Had this child died from the blow to the head, or had an "egg shell skull," this would be a different conversation, a situation whose probability grows with contact between the ground and the subject's head. It is the officer's responsibility to maintain control of the subject. Oops, I slipped is a bit too facile an excuse and would quickly be employed as a pretext by every officer flexing too much muscle. It could be said then that the officer was negligent in the use of force "loosing his grip" in more ways than one.
It's probably safer to reserve judgment about Sheriff Lott's actions pending the outcome of the FBI investigation and the resolution of the civil case still pending against the officer.
Her continued use of profanity during the unnecessary arrest is not dispositive as to whether the arrest should have continued or started in the first place. While you can certainly hear him instruct her to place her hand behind her back, the video shows this was after launching her.
The public has a reasonable expectation that cops will not abuse their positions of trust. It is a gross simplification to say that there is an equal reaction from the police to every action of a subject. Not only was the arrest unnecessary, the escalation was even less necessary. Was there something in the video of the child "playing the RACE card?"
Harry - 8 years ago
Studen refused to follow instruction of teacher to report to office and of an administrator who called for police intervention.
Sheriff Leon Lott should be fired for throwing an officer (Master Deputy SRO Ben Fields) under the bus to protect himself from black media backlash.
SRO Fields used proper escalation of force, that is, he told her she was under arrest for disturbing the class and asked her to come with him. When she refused to comply with his request, he told her to come with him, and when she again refused to follow the officers direction, he attempted to make he obey his commands. As he moved in to take her into physical custody she continued to use profanity, wrapped her legs around the chair making it impossible for him to remove her quietly. As he tipped her backwards it appears to me that he lost his balance and lost his grip as she slip across the floor. You can still her the officer instructing her to put her hands behind her back, etc.
The public must be made aware that it is the action of the person placed under arrest that dictates the reaction of the police. If this female would of simply complied with the directives of multi-pal persons requesting that she leave the classroom instead of playing the RACE card, this incident would not have happened.
Nacholawyer - 8 years ago
Not sure the amount of force was necessary here; perhaps it was a disproportionate response. While we we do not have all the video tape, it seems that the class was not in an uproar, it was hard to see a disruption, or at least one that did not pale in comparison to the splendor of the greco-roman throw demonstrated by Spring Valley's finest. Further, the predicate offense was not one that was criminal in nature.
Of the sundry ways the officer could have extracted the child from the seat USING force, (e.g. mandibular or temple pressure points or the "come along holds" taught by law enforcement and the military http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/19-15/CH12.htm), this officer goes instead for bashing the kid's head into the ground backward.
While this might be appealing to the pro wrestling crowd, the officer's response has been condemned by current and former law enforcement all around the country. It should also make most everyone with a high school education question why a teacher cannot handle this in the first place, why a police officer is called in to deal with a minor classroom infraction such as cell phone use.
Bart - 8 years ago
Did you notice, no other student moved an finger. Compare this video with one shown on "Inside Edition"
where a PRINCIPLE tried to break up a fight in the classroom. He was slammed to the floor by the student
and the rest of the class was in a uproar. Students have no respect for teachers or any authority that tries
to verbally quell a disruptive student. Our schools need more officers like this guy. He should be rewarded.
RobertS - 8 years ago
Lack of respect. most Kids today don't respect any authority figures. The student didn't need her cellphone in class. shes there to learn. If she would have listened to the teacher none of this would have happened.
Barb Varin - 8 years ago
This student brought it upon herself. She used profanity, refused to leave as requested by the teacher, administrator and then by the law officer. The video clearly shows that she hit him and that she wrapped her legs under the chair to make it impossible for him to remove her quietly. The officer was DOING HIS JOB and all of a sudden he is put in an impossible situation. Had he backed away it would have given an impression of weakness and made it easier for the next trouble maker. The media is the problem in this case too. It showed an edited version of the video which made the situation look differently. You interviewed people, but only those who "felt badly for the child". She is not a child. She is an adult who would have been arrested if she refused to leave any other public place. This cop is being made an "example" for doing what he is paid to do. This ADULT, not child, caused the problem. Also, there were no injuries reported and now she has an attorney and low and behold she has all kinds of injuries for which she obviously hopes to reap a healthy reward. She caused the problem and should not be able to benefit from her unlawful behavior. Once again, the media and a group of liberals have turned an illegal act into a "poor me - I am being picked on" situation.
Jerome Parker - 8 years ago
If they are going to fire the police they should fire the ones that call him. if it was not his job to remove her from the class room.
Leon Lott is just a publictity wemp. The officer was only pulling her away from the desk to get leverage. Keep that and no one will want to be in law enforcement.
Well I've sealed with this @signed papers if need the RSO could do so if need if my child was hurting him self or someone else, What are they to do with these kids today? They are rude disrespect ful@ at home the parents can't handle them, I hate the student was hurt,and knowing as a parent you are mad, put think how your child is at home!!! If they are a problem at home this might be their wake up call, If they are no problem!!!! Then do what it take's by law to stop this RSO for doing wrong. Prayer to both side's.
Again, the predicate offense was likely not one that would have called for police intervention. It may have been disturbing the peace, or violative of South Carolina's particular statute for disturbing a classroom. Nonetheless, police officers are to escalate appropriately in the situation. It's the reason we have a separate juvenile system, and the reason that the force was not appropriate given the size differential between the officer and the subject.
As stated below, he could have used other means, even non-lethal tasing or pepper spray after clearing out the other students. Also, an officer would in many jurisdictions move to cover and further restrain a suspect taken to the ground rather than tossing him or her farther from his zone of control (e.g. rear control restraint). Had this child died from the blow to the head, or had an "egg shell skull," this would be a different conversation, a situation whose probability grows with contact between the ground and the subject's head. It is the officer's responsibility to maintain control of the subject. Oops, I slipped is a bit too facile an excuse and would quickly be employed as a pretext by every officer flexing too much muscle. It could be said then that the officer was negligent in the use of force "loosing his grip" in more ways than one.
It's probably safer to reserve judgment about Sheriff Lott's actions pending the outcome of the FBI investigation and the resolution of the civil case still pending against the officer.
Her continued use of profanity during the unnecessary arrest is not dispositive as to whether the arrest should have continued or started in the first place. While you can certainly hear him instruct her to place her hand behind her back, the video shows this was after launching her.
The public has a reasonable expectation that cops will not abuse their positions of trust. It is a gross simplification to say that there is an equal reaction from the police to every action of a subject. Not only was the arrest unnecessary, the escalation was even less necessary. Was there something in the video of the child "playing the RACE card?"
Studen refused to follow instruction of teacher to report to office and of an administrator who called for police intervention.
Sheriff Leon Lott should be fired for throwing an officer (Master Deputy SRO Ben Fields) under the bus to protect himself from black media backlash.
SRO Fields used proper escalation of force, that is, he told her she was under arrest for disturbing the class and asked her to come with him. When she refused to comply with his request, he told her to come with him, and when she again refused to follow the officers direction, he attempted to make he obey his commands. As he moved in to take her into physical custody she continued to use profanity, wrapped her legs around the chair making it impossible for him to remove her quietly. As he tipped her backwards it appears to me that he lost his balance and lost his grip as she slip across the floor. You can still her the officer instructing her to put her hands behind her back, etc.
The public must be made aware that it is the action of the person placed under arrest that dictates the reaction of the police. If this female would of simply complied with the directives of multi-pal persons requesting that she leave the classroom instead of playing the RACE card, this incident would not have happened.
Not sure the amount of force was necessary here; perhaps it was a disproportionate response. While we we do not have all the video tape, it seems that the class was not in an uproar, it was hard to see a disruption, or at least one that did not pale in comparison to the splendor of the greco-roman throw demonstrated by Spring Valley's finest. Further, the predicate offense was not one that was criminal in nature.
Of the sundry ways the officer could have extracted the child from the seat USING force, (e.g. mandibular or temple pressure points or the "come along holds" taught by law enforcement and the military http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/19-15/CH12.htm), this officer goes instead for bashing the kid's head into the ground backward.
While this might be appealing to the pro wrestling crowd, the officer's response has been condemned by current and former law enforcement all around the country. It should also make most everyone with a high school education question why a teacher cannot handle this in the first place, why a police officer is called in to deal with a minor classroom infraction such as cell phone use.
Did you notice, no other student moved an finger. Compare this video with one shown on "Inside Edition"
where a PRINCIPLE tried to break up a fight in the classroom. He was slammed to the floor by the student
and the rest of the class was in a uproar. Students have no respect for teachers or any authority that tries
to verbally quell a disruptive student. Our schools need more officers like this guy. He should be rewarded.
Lack of respect. most Kids today don't respect any authority figures. The student didn't need her cellphone in class. shes there to learn. If she would have listened to the teacher none of this would have happened.
This student brought it upon herself. She used profanity, refused to leave as requested by the teacher, administrator and then by the law officer. The video clearly shows that she hit him and that she wrapped her legs under the chair to make it impossible for him to remove her quietly. The officer was DOING HIS JOB and all of a sudden he is put in an impossible situation. Had he backed away it would have given an impression of weakness and made it easier for the next trouble maker. The media is the problem in this case too. It showed an edited version of the video which made the situation look differently. You interviewed people, but only those who "felt badly for the child". She is not a child. She is an adult who would have been arrested if she refused to leave any other public place. This cop is being made an "example" for doing what he is paid to do. This ADULT, not child, caused the problem. Also, there were no injuries reported and now she has an attorney and low and behold she has all kinds of injuries for which she obviously hopes to reap a healthy reward. She caused the problem and should not be able to benefit from her unlawful behavior. Once again, the media and a group of liberals have turned an illegal act into a "poor me - I am being picked on" situation.
If they are going to fire the police they should fire the ones that call him. if it was not his job to remove her from the class room.
Leon Lott is just a publictity wemp. The officer was only pulling her away from the desk to get leverage. Keep that and no one will want to be in law enforcement.