Mar 4, 2008 2:16 pm US/Eastern
Commish Wants Report On Police Actions At Edison
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
A Miami Dade commissioner and the NAACP have called for a detailed investigation into the actions of the police officers involved in maintaining the peace when a protest turned violent last week at Miami Edison Senior High.
On Friday police officers from three departments including the City of Miami and Miami Dade County were called to Miami Edison after a school police officer hit an emergency button for back up around 11 a.m. as students staged a protest during a lunch period. The students were protest the arrest a day earlier of a fellow student who had gotten into a confrontation with one of the school's assistant principals.
The students claim they were attacked by police as they tried to stage a peaceful protest, but police say the students became unruly and attacked police officers, throwing chairs, milk cartons and books.
More than two dozen students were arrested and ten police officers were treated for minor injuries.
During Tuesday's commission meeting, county commissioner Audrey Edmonson said she was concerned about reports of alleged police brutality; including the use of Tasers on students as officers tried to restore order. She asked that a detailed investigation be launched into the actions of each department's officers.
"What started as a peaceful protest organized by some students degenerated into a very disturbing and violent scene reported by media outlets across the country," said Edmonson. "Three law enforcement agencies were involved; and Miami-Dade County School police officers do not carry Taser guns. I want to know the role Miami-Dade Police officers played."
In the wake of the disturbance at the school, which is located in Edmonson's district, allegations arose of unnecessary force used by some of the officers including the use of Taser guns and pepper spray.
"When you have a situation where scores of police officers descend on a high school, 27 students - mostly girls - without prior records are arrested and several people are injured, there has to be a careful investigation of the matter; and protocol and rules need to be established or clarified," said Edmonson.
Also Tuesday Bishop Victor T. Curry, President of the Miami Dade Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, announced that their executive board unanimously endorsed an independent investigation of actions of the police at the school.
"We are very interested in this event and will ensure that the civil rights of the students were not violated and that police did not use excessive force," said Curry. "I have conducted interviews, including a discussion with Superintendent Dr. Rudy Crew and we are still gathering information. The Miami-Dade Branch will remain vigilant and an active watchdog in this matter."
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