Police in Schools: How to File a Complaint

Justice System Reform
SRO Resource Tool User Interface

REFRAMING PUBLIC SAFETY

Filing a Complaint Against a School Resource Officer

The Problem

Research has shown that the presence of School Resource Officers (“SROs”) worsens the school-to-prison pipeline, results in disproportionate policing of students of color and students with disabilities, and does not produce safer school environments. Despite the absence of evidence showing that SROs have a positive effect on school safety, North Carolina has dramatically increased funding for SROs over the last decade.

Southern Coalition for Social Justice, along with our community partners, actively works to raise awareness and accountability when it comes to the presence of SROs in North Carolina schools. Because there are 115 separate school districts across the state, and multiple schools within each district, understanding how to even submit a complaint, much less track school, district, and statewide trends about incidents involving SROs can be challenging.

This first-of-its-kind tool aims to help students, parents, and school employees navigate local policies regarding filing school complaints in connection with SROs.

Grievance Types

Student, parent, or guardian wishing to file a grievance about the conduct of a School Resource Officer.

Reframing Public Safety

SCSJ’s Reframing Public Safety explores, interrogates, lifts up, and shares policies and practices that increase public safety, strike the right balance between accountability and repair, and center dignity, stability, and justice for all.

Learn more about SCSJ's Reframing Public Safety series.