NYCLU Statement on Panel for Education Policy's Resolution to Move School Safety Division from NYPD to DOE

NEW YORK CITY – Last night the Panel for Education Policy passed a resolution calling for the end of the Department of Education’s Memorandum of Understanding with the NYPD and the transfer of the School Safety Division back to the DOE. You can find a copy of the resolution here. In response, the New York Civil Liberties Union issued the following statement from Director of the Education Policy Center, Johanna Miller:

“Tonight’s vote by the Panel for Educational Policy is a recognition of the power of students of color across New York City. For two decades, students have been saying that police in their schools make them feel like criminals. Though there have been some reforms, still far too many Black and Brown young people are subjected to force and handcuffs by NYPD officers each year. We applaud the PEP and the teachers, parents, and young people who have fought for this for so long.

“At the same time, the NYPD School Safety Division is responsible for less than 25% of the arrests that happen in our schools, so this work is far from over. We must create a system that floods schools with talented educators, professional counselors and support staff, and school climate resources in place of police and surveillance. A police force under DOE control is still a police force, and there is no place for police tactics, training, or equipment in our classrooms and hallways. We will keep fighting until every student is afforded dignity and respect in school.”