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School Scissor Arrest Prompts Apology

Dec 13, 2004 10:25 pm US/Eastern
PHILADELPHIA (AP) Police and school district officials apologized Monday for the handcuffing and arrest of a 10-year-old girl who brought a pair of scissors to school in her backpack.

Police took the girl to a police station in a patrol wagon, her hands cuffed in front of her. A police spokesman said they were following department regulations that suspects should be handcuffed while in transit.

But Philadelphia Police Chief Sylvester Johnson and school district Chief Executive Officer Paul Vallas said Monday that they have called the mother of student Porsche Brown to apologize.

"As a parent, and grandparent, I do understand that the use of physical restraints on young people, especially preteens can be distressing," Johnson said in a statement.

Although the officers were following protocol, more discretion will be used in cases involving young children in the future, Johnson said.

The district said that Brown had violated a ban on bringing scissors -- which are considered potential weapons -- to school.

"But calling in local police to address such a matter involving a 10-year-old criminalized the young student who apparently meant no ill intent by her actions," the district said in a statement. "In addition, the practice of calling police off their beats to manage the vast majority of primary-level incidents is a waste of vital law enforcement resources."

The girl's suspension, initially set for five days, was amended to two days and she was expected to return to class Tuesday, district spokeswoman Barbara Farley said Monday evening. She knew of no plans to expunge the suspension given the apologies. .
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School district officials, vowing to crack down on unruly students, this year created a network of six schools for students with disciplinary problems.

While some applaud the move, other parents say schools are calling police about minor problems.