[ad_1]
A Florida high school student was arrested on October 6 for allegedly body-slamming a school resource officer during a fight.
According to the St. Cloud Police Department, SRO Ball was separating two students during a fight when a third student suddenly walked up to the officer and grabbed him by the neck. The student then pulled the officer away from the fight and, according to police, Ball attempted to control the student “with the least amount of force possible.” Amid the scuffle, the student picked the officer up and slammed him to the ground.
A school administrator, another SRO and other students intervened and pulled the student off Ball and kept him under control until backup arrived.
Police say the 15-year-old student was later arrested for battery of a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence.
The student was sent to the Juvenile Assessment Center in Orlando.
So far, there have been no further arrests.
St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke called the incident “extremely disturbing.”
“To be clear, the incident Officer Ball was dealing with did not involve the student that was arrested. Officer Ball was there to prevent two other students from harming each other,” Goerke said in a statement. “What occurred to Officer Ball was despicable and should never have happened. We will never tolerate behavior that targets our officers and will hold those accountable at the highest levels.:
“I am so proud of our school resource officers. They truly care about our students and show the highest poise and compassion,” Goerke continued. “Officer Ball is the epitome of professionalism and has been at St. Cloud High School for the past 12 years.”
The body camera footage from the incident is currently being reviewed for disciplinary purposes.
[ad_2]
