School officials to investigate response to fight at Laurel High

Video shows officer throwing student to the ground.

Prince George’s County Public Schools officials are investigating whether a security officer used excessive force to control a student following an altercation at Laurel High School.

PGCPS spokeswoman Sherrie Johnson said a parent contacted the school system after a student posted a cell phone video of the March 30 incident on Twitter.

The video shows a security officer attempting to separate two female students who were fighting, Johnson said. After one of the students turned and walked away, the officer is shown pulling her across the hallway, lifting her up and slamming her to the ground. The video then shows the officer holding the student in a headlock as he leads her to the principal’s office.

Johnson said security officers use force if it is necessary to protect themselves and others around them.

“Our school security officers are well-trained and their chief responsibility is to maintain a safe and secure environment for all students and staff,” Johnson said. “As with all incidents of this type, a thorough investigation will be conducted to ensure that proper protocols were followed.”

Ronald Dortch, the vice president of the high school’s PTSA, said body slamming a student is “totally unacceptable” and force should only be used in a life or death situation. He added that security officers should request back-up, rather than handle these altercations on their own.

“If standing between the two isn’t enough force, get some help,” Dortch said.

Johnson said she could not disclose details surrounding the context of the altercation, as the school system is bound by confidentiality.

>>> Read more NBC 4 >>> Read more Gazette.

Dwayne Jones (seen above) is involved in a major conflict of interest involving a certain female security guard at Laurel High School. Parents and Prince George’s County administration should not allow this situation to continue any longer. One of the parties needs to go in another location or leave the county all together. The said relationship has been fueling conflicts. This saga has been going on for too long.  Staff, students and parents needs to demand an end to it >>> Read more 

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OPINION

Companies today employ policies barring office romances, stipulating that such activity causes office conflicts, and “creates issues” and can “cause embarrassment to the company”. Harry Stonecipher, chief executive of Boeing, found this out the hard way when Boeing asked him to resign his position. It was disclosed that Stonecipher was having an extramarital affair with a fellow female executive.

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Finally, according to the California Supreme Court: Miller v. Department of Corrections, workplace sex can cause a hostile work environment. The court ruled that “wide spread sexual favoritism can create an actionable work environment”, and remanded the case to a jury trial for determination of compensatory and punitive damages.

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