To Police Report or Not to Police Report?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think folks are following the original thread that prompted this one when they claim it's over reacting.

The OP of the original thread has a 2nd grader who was choked by a classmate; the same classmate also told the kid he had a knife and would "cut him open."

These are not run of the mill behavior problems in 2nd grade. Considering a 6 year old bought a gun to school and shot their teacher in VA last year, I'd say I'd take that degree of physicality (choking, threatening with a weapon) super seriously and consider a police report.

That's because you are a nutter, equating the one 6 year old in the history of the country who shot a teacher with every other 2nd grader.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Poluce don’t just write a report because you want them to fyi. Certain criteria has to be met. Reports take a lot of time. Investigations have to done etc…… a lot of times with young children they let schools handle the situation.

Don’t accept that, request a criminal investigation.

A criminal investigation of who? You don’t really think the police are going to question a 2nd grade victim or perpetrator, do you? Children under a certain age can’t be charged with a crime because they lack the capacity to form the requisite intent to commit the crime. They also lack the capacity to understand things like Miranda warnings. What do you expect the police to do when called upon? Arrest and question a 7 year old who, legally, is wayyyyy too young to charge? It’s not gonna happen. And if the police can’t question 7 year olds— which they can’t—what exactly will the report say? Are you pulling the 2nd grade teacher out for the afternoon to go down to the police station? Because that’s a great way to get teachers to quit. Maybe Parents who weren’t there?

I agree the behavior is absolutely unacceptable. But the solution is not to tie up police resources. Because in the end, there may be a record somewhere that Parent X reported John Doe did something wrong (because a 7 year olds name would not be made public), but there was no crime to investigate. If the second grader who shot his teacher in VA wasn't charged (parent was, but for an unsecured weapon), your complaints about Johnny hitting your kid are going to the circular file.

Quit taking police and teacher resources away from crimes that can be prosecuted and classrooms and Administrators, from the school board to the APs accountable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The posters who suggest calling the police because of a 2nd grader misbehaving are insane, OP. Not sure why you're paying any attention to them.

Aside from getting the schools to take action, the police report also gives you the other family's information so you can sue for any physical or mental harm. Sometimes it's the only way to get a problem resolved.

No, it doesn’t. Minors are identified as John and Jane Does in criminal investigations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The posters who suggest calling the police because of a 2nd grader misbehaving are insane, OP. Not sure why you're paying any attention to them.

Threatening someone with a knife and choking them is "misbehaving"?

Nope. It’s a sign something is seriously wrong with that kid or in that kids life. However, it’s also not a crime if the kid is 7. Too young to form intent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that people suggest filing a police report because the schools are no longer moving quickly to address issues with kids with behavioral problems. Physical assault should be a threshold that leads to immediate consequences but it now seems that is not happening. And while most early ES kids are not likely to try and really harm a classmate, we know that some do and the very rare few are quite clinical in their decision to shoot or assault a classmate.

I believe most people are hoping that filing a police report would force the school to take stronger action although I am not certain that will be the case.

It's this. I am very much hoping that parents of my peers file every single physical infraction with tge police so that we can go back to worrying about learning in the classroom and not physical safety. Most of these incidents are committed by repeat offenders who should not be allowed to terrorize the rest of the class.

You do realize the police can’t question 7 year olds right? They can question the teacher who witnessed the fight. Which pulls that teacher out of the classroom. You file 6 reports, that teacher is at the police station six times. Not saying a word, BTW, because their union rep isn’t stupid. That’s six times a sub is babysitting the classroom.

For educated people, DCUMitescan be incredibly dumb.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think folks are following the original thread that prompted this one when they claim it's over reacting.

The OP of the original thread has a 2nd grader who was choked by a classmate; the same classmate also told the kid he had a knife and would "cut him open."

These are not run of the mill behavior problems in 2nd grade. Considering a 6 year old bought a gun to school and shot their teacher in VA last year, I'd say I'd take that degree of physicality (choking, threatening with a weapon) super seriously and consider a police report.

And remind me of the consequences to the 6 year old? That’s right. Legally, there were none. We don’t even know their name because they were a minor. 6 year olds believe in the Easter Bunny and don’t understand death is permanent. Also no consequences to the parents (of a kid who hits or chokes. The 6 year old who shot his teachers parents were charged because of not storing the gun properly). If anyone is questioned, it would be the teacher. Who then gets pulled out of the classroom, potentially for a significant period of time if they call their union and request legal representation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think folks are following the original thread that prompted this one when they claim it's over reacting.

The OP of the original thread has a 2nd grader who was choked by a classmate; the same classmate also told the kid he had a knife and would "cut him open."

These are not run of the mill behavior problems in 2nd grade. Considering a 6 year old bought a gun to school and shot their teacher in VA last year, I'd say I'd take that degree of physicality (choking, threatening with a weapon) super seriously and consider a police report.

That's because you are a nutter, equating the one 6 year old in the history of the country who shot a teacher with every other 2nd grader.

Hello, adult bully.

Np. You deserve to be called out for being ridiculous. Grow up.

DP you may think you called someone out but it's useless. Parents are fed up with their kids being the punching bags. You're on the wrong side and aren't going to cow people into sitting back and doing nothing because you don't want there to be any consequences.

Please explain the consequence to a six year old of calling the police on them. That’s right, none. Unless the parent of the kid imposes them. Now, calling the police is a great way to make the teacher who gets dragged into police questioning hate you and your tattling little kid. And BTW— better hope your 6 year old exaggerating about what happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And what about this one - 7th grade kid choked on a bus, on video, Fairfax county. Would a parent be wrong to file a police report? I would in this case.

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/virginia/video-captures-middle-school-student-being-choked-on-a-school-bus/65-e73a9710-6c11-4194-8db9-b2bb8d5f79e1

You know there is a huge difference developmentally between a 13 year old and a six year old, right? Are you even a parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that people suggest filing a police report because the schools are no longer moving quickly to address issues with kids with behavioral problems. Physical assault should be a threshold that leads to immediate consequences but it now seems that is not happening. And while most early ES kids are not likely to try and really harm a classmate, we know that some do and the very rare few are quite clinical in their decision to shoot or assault a classmate.

I believe most people are hoping that filing a police report would force the school to take stronger action although I am not certain that will be the case.

It's this. I am very much hoping that parents of my peers file every single physical infraction with tge police so that we can go back to worrying about learning in the classroom and not physical safety. Most of these incidents are committed by repeat offenders who should not be allowed to terrorize the rest of the class.

You do realize the police can’t question 7 year olds right? They can question the teacher who witnessed the fight. Which pulls that teacher out of the classroom. You file 6 reports, that teacher is at the police station six times. Not saying a word, BTW, because their union rep isn’t stupid. That’s six times a sub is babysitting the classroom.

For educated people, DCUMitescan be incredibly dumb.

A teacher suggested filing a police repoet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the thing that made PPs suggest filing a police report is that it went beyond words and child was assaulted.
Schools (participate FCPS) do too little to response to address/correct physical violence in the classroom. And having a police report on file will not only encourage the school admins to act, but it may also trigger an investigation of CPS if they feel that it is warranted.

It’s not okay for a child to be permitted to hit, kick, or choke another child, whether inside or outside of school. And that behavior comes from somewhere. Police report will allow someone to follow up on what the underlying home issue is.

+1

FCPS is not looking out for the victim, they are looking out for themselves. Do what you have to do, as a parent, to protect your child. If that means lawyering up, depending on the situation, so be it.

[Anonymous]

I think parents are tired of the out of control behavior in some classrooms. It is a small percentage of children but it is highly disruptive to the classrooms when it happens. Schools do not seem to be doing anything about the behavior issues. My Teacher friends of kids in K-12 report being bitten, hit, kicked, spat at, sworn at and the like. The kid goes tot the Principals office and comes back 10 minutes later.

It feels like someone needs to do something to elevate that crazy behavior so that kids receive the help that they need and the other kids in the classroom have a clam learning environment. If the Teachers can’t do anything because administration has refused to do anything. If administration won’t do anything because Gatehouse has tied their hands. If Gatehouse won’t do anything because they are afraid of being sued or the programs that are needed are too expensive. Where do you go?

The instinct is to file a police report when a child chokes another child or threatens another child and you know the school is not going to do anything because maybe that will force someone to do something.

But you are right, a 7 year old is not going to be charged and it is a lot of paperwork and it is disruptive in a different manner.

Maybe if schools would get back to discipling kids for poor behavior. Maybe if it didn’t take 18 months of documenting 90 different strategies failing and taking away even more Teacher time to document and attend meetings. Maybe if parents didn’t sue because their kid isn’t that bad and they don’t want the kid to be in a smaller class for kids with behavior issues. The pendulum has swung far to far to the side of no punishment, inclusive classroom and people are frustrated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the thing that made PPs suggest filing a police report is that it went beyond words and child was assaulted.
Schools (participate FCPS) do too little to response to address/correct physical violence in the classroom. And having a police report on file will not only encourage the school admins to act, but it may also trigger an investigation of CPS if they feel that it is warranted.

It’s not okay for a child to be permitted to hit, kick, or choke another child, whether inside or outside of school. And that behavior comes from somewhere. Police report will allow someone to follow up on what the underlying home issue is.

+1

FCPS is not looking out for the victim, they are looking out for themselves. Do what you have to do, as a parent, to protect your child. If that means lawyering up, depending on the situation, so be it.

This is inaccurate. The school district is looking out for all kids, which includes the victim and includes other kids. People may not approve of what they are doing now but saying they they aren't looking out for your DC is wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the thing that made PPs suggest filing a police report is that it went beyond words and child was assaulted.
Schools (participate FCPS) do too little to response to address/correct physical violence in the classroom. And having a police report on file will not only encourage the school admins to act, but it may also trigger an investigation of CPS if they feel that it is warranted.

It’s not okay for a child to be permitted to hit, kick, or choke another child, whether inside or outside of school. And that behavior comes from somewhere. Police report will allow someone to follow up on what the underlying home issue is.

+1

FCPS is not looking out for the victim, they are looking out for themselves. Do what you have to do, as a parent, to protect your child. If that means lawyering up, depending on the situation, so be it.

This is inaccurate. The school district is looking out for all kids, which includes the victim and includes other kids. People may not approve of what they are doing now but saying they they aren't looking out for your DC is wrong.

Strongly disagree. When there is an assault (and often, more than one), and the perps parents throw a fit to not get thrown out of school (because they know the system), even though they know they are in the wrong, and they actually try to blame the victim - FCPS needs to be fixed. I have seen perps who have multiple offenses not get moved, dismissed, or suspended - taxpayers are tired of these kids being in schools where they do not belong. Taxpayers are tired of their kids being in fear of the loose cannons going off at any time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the thing that made PPs suggest filing a police report is that it went beyond words and child was assaulted.
Schools (participate FCPS) do too little to response to address/correct physical violence in the classroom. And having a police report on file will not only encourage the school admins to act, but it may also trigger an investigation of CPS if they feel that it is warranted.

It’s not okay for a child to be permitted to hit, kick, or choke another child, whether inside or outside of school. And that behavior comes from somewhere. Police report will allow someone to follow up on what the underlying home issue is.

+1

FCPS is not looking out for the victim, they are looking out for themselves. Do what you have to do, as a parent, to protect your child. If that means lawyering up, depending on the situation, so be it.

This is inaccurate. The school district is looking out for all kids, which includes the victim and includes other kids. People may not approve of what they are doing now but saying they they aren't looking out for your DC is wrong.

Uh no FCPS is not looking out for our kids. We had a serial offender last year in 4th grade who spat on other kids, hit them with her metal water bottle, shoved them etc etc. after each incident (most of which the teacher did not inform parents about) the student was sent to sit with principal. She thought this was a treat. She was a menace the whole year and our school did nothing. Your school and FCPS want to minimize fallout from issues. They’ve stopped telling parents when their kid gets assaulted cause it happens so much now. They know they can’t do anything to these kids that rage and disrupt or anything for the kids that have their learning interrupting and are getting hurt. All they can do is put their head in the sand and pretend nothing is wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the thing that made PPs suggest filing a police report is that it went beyond words and child was assaulted.
Schools (participate FCPS) do too little to response to address/correct physical violence in the classroom. And having a police report on file will not only encourage the school admins to act, but it may also trigger an investigation of CPS if they feel that it is warranted.

It’s not okay for a child to be permitted to hit, kick, or choke another child, whether inside or outside of school. And that behavior comes from somewhere. Police report will allow someone to follow up on what the underlying home issue is.

+1

FCPS is not looking out for the victim, they are looking out for themselves. Do what you have to do, as a parent, to protect your child. If that means lawyering up, depending on the situation, so be it.

This is inaccurate. The school district is looking out for all kids, which includes the victim and includes other kids. People may not approve of what they are doing now but saying they they aren't looking out for your DC is wrong.

Uh no FCPS is not looking out for our kids. We had a serial offender last year in 4th grade who spat on other kids, hit them with her metal water bottle, shoved them etc etc. after each incident (most of which the teacher did not inform parents about) the student was sent to sit with principal. She thought this was a treat. She was a menace the whole year and our school did nothing. Your school and FCPS want to minimize fallout from issues. They’ve stopped telling parents when their kid gets assaulted cause it happens so much now. They know they can’t do anything to these kids that rage and disrupt or anything for the kids that have their learning interrupting and are getting hurt. All they can do is put their head in the sand and pretend nothing is wrong.

That sounds like a terrible situation for everyone, your DC and the teacher and that student. But unless she told you that getting sent to the office was a treat, you're just making things up. And if she did tell you, you should be smart enough and understanding enough to know she didn't mean it.

Your preferred solution might be to write that girl off in 4th grade. But with more maturity (and maybe she might benefit from more discipline), she may outgrow all of those behaviors. Will she be able to reenter school or will she be hopelessly academically behind at that point? If she is written off in 4th grade, what will become of her when she is an adult? That will be your DC's problem then, not yours anymore.