Home News Richland Two statements regarding incident at Spring Valley High School

Richland Two statements regarding incident at Spring Valley High School

10/27/2015

Statement from Dr. Debbie Hamm, Richland School District Two Superintendent:
Our District is deeply concerned about an incident that occurred at Spring Valley High School today. The incident took place between a school resource officer employed by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and a student. Video of the incident is circulating on social media.

Student safety is and always will be the District’s top priority. The District will not tolerate any actions that jeopardize the safety of our students.

Upon learning of the incident, school and district administrators began an investigation. We are working closely and in full cooperation with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department to conduct a thorough and complete investigation.

Pending the outcome of the investigation, the District has directed that the school resource officer not return to any school in the District.

Statement from Mr. James Manning, Chairman of the Richland Two Board of Trustees:
I have watched the video several times and there is no doubt that the video is extremely disturbing. The amount of force used on a female student by a male officer appears to me to be excessive and unnecessary. As the parent of a daughter in Richland School District Two I can assure you that we are taking this matter very seriously. The district superintendent has been in constant contact with the Richland County Sheriff to express our concern over this matter and the district has banned the deputy in question from all District Two property. The Sheriff has assured us that a full investigation is under way and that he wants the same questions answered that we all have about this matter.

At this time, I will reserve further comment and judgment until the full investigation has been completed. However, I want to assure you that the Richland Two Board and District staff are committed to the safety of all of our students and are taking immediate steps to ensure that our students are treated with the full respect and dignity that they deserve while in our care.

For additional information please contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.