Reactions On the Resource Officer and High School Student In SC

I’m not sure what it is about our society that leads us to always feel the need to take a definitive stand on every single issue. It’s quite possible, and often true, that in conflict both sides can be at fault. Yes, one side can be more responsible, but that shouldn’t keep us from being open and honest about the fault of the party we align with either. Things are seldom black and white (no pun intended).

In my opinion, the recent episode involving the young female high school student in South Carolina and the male deputy and school resource offer is a perfect example of this. Everyone seems grouped into two sides: 1) Total support of the officer and complete blame for the student or 2) Total support of the student and complete blame for the officer.

Based on the information available many things seem clear. First and foremost the young lady should have complied with the directive of authority. She was instructed many times by both teacher and officer and refused to comply. A good result cannot be expected after a display of such defiance.

With that said, this officer was out of line. His aggression far exceeded both necessity and the situation.

In today’s climate of racial tension, hostility, and overall disdain for law enforcement why on earth would you choose a tact of aggression toward a young black female in a non-violent confrontation? As a white male, you couldn’t pay me enough to put my hands on a young female, much less of the opposite race, unless there was absolutely zero alternative and all other options were exhausted. To expect this to end well is poor judgement on the officer’s part. Not to mention his seemingly troubled history of aggression.

I hate that law enforcement finds itself in this predicament. I lament the fact that they don’t receive the respect nor appreciation they should; however, they are trained professionals and they have a higher responsibility than the average citizen, both in terms of respect and in effort to diffuse, especially in non life-threatening scenarios.

Slamming a young female to the floor with that much force could not have been the best option no matter how wrong or defiant she was. If these are the kinds of decisions and choices public school officials and resource officers are making, perhaps home school and private school are now much more attractive choices.

I believe in discipline. I believe in kids respecting authority and doing as they’re told, but I also believe in adults exercising wisdom, restraint, and common sense. I will say in fairness that had I been this child my father may very well have made this officer seem mild-mannered. However, not every child receives this type of upbringing.

It seems this young lady is a lonely product of the foster care system. An orphan. I believe we should all be able to extend grace to someone who befits the focus of the heart of Christ. The orphan and widow. You cannot hold this child to the same standard of those who were blessed to have parents who cared and instilled values. Does it make her actions right? No. But it does shed light and perspective as to why a militant approach should have been even less desirable.

This officer’s actions have now rendered him unemployed and open to possible litigation. He’s been smeared all over the media. I have no doubt he’d handle this differently if given another chance, and rightly so.

This young lady’s actions led to a situation that diffused and went poorly for all involved. Hopefully she also learns from this. Not to be a victim, but to make better choices that reduce the likelihood of situations like this in her future.

In this case two wrongs made an unfortunate situation even worse.