In a deeply unsettling video that has recently come to light, a school resource officer in New Mexico is seen violently confronting an 11-year-old girl. The footage shows Officer Jake Thompson forcefully pushing the sixth grader against a brick wall before tackling her to the ground, all while shouting for her to “stop resisting.” The young student can be heard sobbing and pleading with him to let her go, repeatedly asserting, “I’m not resisting. Get off of me — you’re hurting me.”
What Prompted This Aggressive Response?
According to reports, the girl’s “offense” included minor disruptions like standing on the bus and taking an extra milk carton during lunch. Such behavior is typical for many sixth graders — is this really how we choose to discipline our children in schools today?
In the distressing video, a school administrator attempts to intervene, urging Thompson to allow the girl to stand up, stating, “She is not a threat to yourself or others.” However, the officer refuses to relent. The situation escalates as he contacts the police department, inquiring whether he can arrest her for “disrupting the educational process.” Yes, he sought to arrest a child after using excessive force against her for minor misbehavior.
The Aftermath
Eventually, additional officers arrived, and Thompson claimed the girl had committed “battery” against the principal and had resisted arrest. This narrative was reiterated to the girl’s mother when she arrived, leading to a legal claim against the officer the following day.
Farmington Police Chief Mark Rivera expressed his shock and anger upon viewing the video, stating, “We are committed to maintaining the trust of our community.” Following an internal review, Thompson resigned after being found to have violated the department’s use-of-force policies. The school district also issued an apology to the family and is now reviewing procedures to prevent future incidents.
After the incident, the young girl was treated for scrapes, bruises, and a mild concussion. Surprisingly, the New Mexico State Police and the local district attorney have stated they will not pursue charges against Thompson.
Further Reading
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In summary, the alarming footage of a school resource officer tackling an 11-year-old girl over minor disruptions raises serious questions about the methods used to discipline students in schools today.