— In Florida, the District Court of Appeal of Florida affirmed the ruling of the lower court that the school resource officer on duty during the campus shooting at Parkland High School was not entitled to immunity. The court ruled that Florida law applies immunity for job-related negligence, “unless such officer, employee, or agent acted in bad faith or with malicious purpose or in a manner exhibiting wanton and willful disregard of human rights, safety, or property.” Florida Statutes Section 768.28(9)(a). The lower court found that the officer acted with conscious and intentional indifference to the consequences of failing to do his duty. [Medina v. Pollack]
— In Virginia, the Arlington County School Board is considering whether to end its practice of having police officers in schools in the Virginia county. Its local surveys show that most students, and a majority of staff feel safe with school resource officers on school grounds. A committee is being formed to review all concerns, “look at practices, and possibly reinvent our partnership with police.”
— In Minnesota, the Hopkins School Board voted to remove police officers from Hopkins High School after hearing from nearly 1,200 students, staff, parents and community members regarding the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police on May 25.
— In Maryland, Montgomery County’s executive and police chief have different views on keeping police officers in the schools. The police chief believes that officers ensure safety for students consistent with the provisions of the Maryland Safe to Learn Act and maintain relationships with students, teachers, administrators and the staff. The county executive believes that officers are a “sad use of resources,” and that the money should be spent on school psychologists and social workers.