Camden News
Publications by New Journal Enterprises
spacer
  Home Archive Competition Jobs Tickets Accommodation Dating Contact us
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
Camden New Journal - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 14 February 2008
 
Police set for return to school, despite protests

POLICE officers will return to a West Hampstead secondary school despite opposition from parents.
Governors at Hampstead School in Westbere Road agreed to reinstate an officer at the school at a closed meeting on Thursday.
Last month parents told staff during a meeting that they objected to a police presence at the school following an incident outside its gates two years ago involving 40 riot police.
The skirmish in 2006 resulted in the head, Jacques Szemalikowski, pursuing a complaint against officers on the grounds of heavy-handedness and racial targeting of pupils.
He said this week: “We want to reaffirm our commitment to the Safer Schools Partnership officer for a whole range of reasons such as the safety of students and building up trust and a team around the child.”
Mr Szemalikowski denied that police in schools criminalised pupils.
He said: “The whole agenda is not to criminalise children – it’s to de-escalate situations.”
A new officer is expected to join the school, which has 1,200 pupils, by the end of the month.
Responding to criticism levelled at the scheme in the past few weeks – including an article written by eight parents in the New Journal last week – Mr Szemalikowski said the major­ity of parents were in favour of a school officer.
“I haven’t had a groundswell of parents opposed, it’s been an absolute minority,” he said.
Parent Richard Olszewski said: “Opposition needs to be kept in perspective. I’m very happy they’re bringing back a police officer.”

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment:


 

spacer














spacer


Theatre Music
Arts & Events Attractions
spacer
 
 


  up