SACRAMENTO – (INT) – Many California school districts will be re-examining the role and impacts of police on their campuses.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond convened a Task Force on Safe Schools hearing Tuesday. The task force was created in response to the current social climate that is focused on racial justice and putting a spotlight on implicit bias and institutional racism.

An overview of overview of data presented indicated that schools with police are not measurably safer than those without. Additionally, the research review suggested that schools with police had a disproportionate number of students of color arrested and removed from campuses.

Thurmond voiced concern that “More research needs to be done so we can be clear regarding what the best alternatives are to current school police programs. The reality is that districts may elect to keep police officers on campuses, but there needs to be better training for officers and school staff in restorative justice practices. School police officers should not be viewed as or put in the position to be the school disciplinarian.”

Story Date: July 16, 2020