A police officer working as a substitute teacher at Woodbury High School in Minnesota has been banned from teaching after reenacting the murder of George Floyd in a disturbing manner. Officials from the school district reported that the officer, who was serving as a substitute English teacher, engaged in multiple racially harmful actions and made inappropriate comments during classes.
The officer, identified as Patrol Officer Steve Williams from Prescott, Wisconsin, was placed on administrative leave by the Prescott Police Department pending an internal investigation. The staffing agency that employed him at the school also confirmed that he no longer works for them.
During the classes, the officer reportedly put a student on the ground to reenact the actions that led to George Floyd’s death and made racially harmful comments, told sexist jokes, and spoke in detail about disturbing topics. The school officials, including the principal of Woodbury High School and the superintendent of the South Washington County Schools district, issued a letter to students, families, and staff addressing the incident.
In response to the incident, the school district has prohibited the officer from setting foot on district property and reported the incident to the Minnesota Department of Education, the state teacher licensing board, and the Woodbury Police Department. Principal Sarah Sorenson-Wanger expressed deep regret for the reported behavior and emphasized that such actions will not be tolerated in their schools.
The city of Prescott, Wisconsin, also condemned the officer’s actions, stating that they find the allegations against him to be disturbing and reprehensible. The officer, who has been identified as a two-year veteran of the Prescott Police Department, was off duty at the time of the incident.
The staffing agency that placed the officer at the school, Teachers on Call, part of the Kelly Education employment network, confirmed that the officer passed comprehensive background checks before being hired. However, they emphasized that his actions were unacceptable and that he is no longer employed by the agency.
The Woodbury Police Department and the Department of Education have both expressed concern over the incident and are investigating the matter further. The school district, which serves about 18,700 students in seven communities, has stated that they are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
The incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about the conduct of law enforcement officers in schools. It serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing racial discrimination and promoting inclusivity in educational settings.
