Minneapolis — A Minnesota school district has barred a police officer from acting as a substitute teacher following a series of “racially harmful” activities, including placing a pupil on the ground for a reenactment of George Floyd’s 2020 death by a Minneapolis officer.
The employment firm that hired him at Woodbury High School announced Wednesday that he no longer works for them, and the Prescott, Wisconsin, Police Department placed him on administrative leave awaiting an internal investigation.
The man was working as a substitute English teacher on Monday when he informed kids in four different 10th and 12th grade courses that they would be interested in learning about his past as a police officer, according to school authorities in a letter to students, families, and staff.
Students also complained that the substitute teacher “repeatedly made racially harmful comments,” “told sexist jokes,” “spoke in disturbing detail about dead bodies he had seen,” said “cops would be the best criminals” because “they know how to get away with stuff,” and “stated that police brutality isn’t real,” according to the letter.
The letter was signed by Woodbury High School’s principal, as well as the superintendent and assistant superintendent of the South Washington County School District. According to the report, the man is no longer permitted to enter district land. They also stated that they had reported the event to the Minnesota Department of Education, the state teacher licensure board, and the Woodbury Police Department.
Floyd died after a white officer forced his neck to the pavement for 9 1/2 minutes, ignoring the Black man’s dying cry, “I can’t breathe.” Children were among the worried witnesses, including a youngster who recorded the footage, which was widely shared on social media platforms. Derek Chauvin, a cop, was convicted of murder.
Floyd’s killing sparked protests that occasionally turned violent, putting Gov. Tim Walz’s leadership to the test at one of the state’s most pivotal moments and generating a national reflection on racial prejudice and police wrongdoing.
“I specifically want to acknowledge racial harm that occurred when the substitute teacher reenacted the prone restraint that resulted in the murder of George Floyd,” said the principal, Sarah Sorenson-Wanger.
“The reported behavior is reprehensible.” I am humiliated, and I am sad about what happened to our students. We will give kids as much time as they need to listen and establish an environment conducive to bold talks that lead to healing, action, and education. The principal responded, “The reported actions are not, and will not be tolerated at Woodbury High School or in South Washington County Schools.”
Later Wednesday, the city of Prescott, Wisconsin, identified him as Patrol Officer Steve Williams, a department veteran of two years. He was off duty and not working in an official capacity, according to a city statement.
“The City of Prescott and the Prescott Police Department find the current allegations, if true, made against Mr. Williams to be very disturbing, reprehensible, and we in no way condone his actions,” according to a statement.
A dispatcher in Pierce County, Wisconsin, claimed Williams was not working on Wednesday and would not take a message for him.
Woodbury is a suburb southeast of St. Paul and the eastern suburbs of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area extends into western Wisconsin, including Prescott.
The substitute was employed through Teachers on Call, a staffing organization affiliated with Kelly Education’s national employment network. According to the company, Williams underwent extensive background checks before being hired.
“The actions of this individual were unacceptable, and the substitute teacher is no longer an employee of Teachers on Call,” business spokesman Danielle Nixon said in a statement. “We appreciate the public’s faith in us to guarantee a safe learning environment for our replacement teachers. We have a zero-tolerance stance toward any sort of violent, aggressive, or destructive behavior.
Citing the ongoing inquiry, she stated that Teachers on Call will not release any additional information on its former employee.
Woodbury Police Chief Jason Posel stated in a statement Wednesday that his department is “disturbed by the preliminary information of what occurred” and will examine this matter thoroughly while showing compassion to the students affected.
In an email, Department of Education spokesperson Anna Kurth stated that the state agency has contacted the district to offer resources to students, families, and staff, but that due to privacy laws, it cannot confirm or deny receiving any report or investigation of alleged minor maltreatment.
The South Washington County Schools district claims to educate around 18,700 students over 25 schools in seven areas. It claims that 37% of its pupils identify as a race other than white.
Source: Minnesota School System Prohibits Officer From Teaching After He Acted Out George Floyd’s Murder
