Local authorities and school officials are investigating a physical confrontation between a student and a school resource officer at Spring Valley High School near Columbia, South Carolina.
In the video, the officer is seen trying to physically remove the student from her desk in a manner which causes the desk to flip over with her in it. Once the desk is on the ground, the officer drags the student away from it and appears to toss her toward the front of the classroom.
While a short clip of the confrontation was spreading across social media, local news station WIS posted a 90-second version.
wistv.com – Columbia, South Carolina
Students and teachers sat quietly by while the incident unfolded.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott told local media that the incident began when the student, who was reported by her teacher as being disruptive, refused to leave the classroom. After the student refused an administrator’s request to leave, the school resource officer was beckoned and the confrontation ensued.
Sheriff Lott told WIS, “The student was told she was under arrest for disturbing school and given instructions which she again refused. The video then shows the student resisting and being arrested by the SRO.”
Richland School District Two Superintendent Debbie Hamm released a statement saying the district is “deeply concerned” about the incident and is teaming with the sheriff’s department for a full investigation.
On Monday evening, at a press conference, the officer was identified by sheriff’s officials as Ben Fields. They announced he has been placed on administrative leave pending further review.
The Sheriff’s department also said that no injuries were sustained by either party in the incident.
-mashable