To wonder where we are going with police powers etc......

[MistressoftheDarkSide]

So this post has been prompted by stories I've just read in the Guardian.

www.theguardian.com/education/2021/mar/25/uk-police-forces-deploy-683-officers-in-schools

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/25/police-retract-claims-that-officers-suffered-broken-bones-at-bristol-protest

Embedded in the first story are links to two stories which imply racial profiling and discrimination potentially, by schools and police.

Academies, being private enterprises essentially, are free to set what some feel are unnecessarily high standards on their pupils, and there have also been historical concerns that pupils who may affect ratings are effectively pushed out rather than resources being used to support them. But if they are beyond the scope of LA oversight, it does leave the door open to bias, leading to some pupils being unfairly disadvantaged.

Now while I agree that the police have a role to play in the community, I'm not sure how comfortable I feel about schools having designated officers to help maintain control. It sounds benign enough, but I'm not sure, if as a teenager, knowing that my school and peers were identified as problematic with the oversight of the law involved, it would make me more determined to be well behaved, or not get caught, or just see the police as my enemy going forward.

Then the Bristol Riot reporting - well, that's utterly wrong IMO. Broken bones were dramatically reported as fact at the time - if there was uncertainty with injuries yet to be confirmed, that is what have should have been reported, rather than reporting things which further inflamed the community.

So we have lots going on here - all somewhat linked.

I'm no asking for a vote, as I have no real way of framing whether IABU or why not, nor wishing to start a bunfight, but would appreciate thoughts from others. My best description of my feelings, having read the articles above, is uneasiness to be honest.

School Liaison Officers are not new. The roles were specifically created to help keep youths out of the criminal justice system. Crimes were recorded but crime recording policy allowed the offence to be dealt with by the school instead of the courts ( minor offences). So the Police got their crimes detected and pupils didn’t have to appear in court. Children were often referred to other agencies if needed.

@Finfintytint

Indeed, my 26 year old son has just told me that by the time he left school at 16, so ten years ago, this was something in place. I suppose it's just sad that it was felt to be needed. And his Academy is in a fairly average affluent area.

I hope it does have the benign effect intended. Still bothered about the other stories though - but many thanks for responding