Students Demand Action After Helix HS Arrest Video Surfaces

An investigation has been launched into an incident at a La Mesa high school involving a suspended student and a campus police officer, the La Mesa Police Department (LMPD) said Sunday.LMPD Lt. Chad Bell said the police department is in possession of video that shows a 17-year-old Helix Charter High School student “being taken to the ground” after attempting to break free from a La Mesa Police School Resource Officer at about 1:30 p.m. Friday. Encinitas Woman Burned in House Fire The video was posted on Instagram and YouTube.While police are investigating the incident, students gathered outside the high school Monday to demand the school resource officer be fired.  Con Men Using Pics of Fallen Military for Dating Sites: Army The teenager was under suspension but was on campus anyway for unknown reasons. School officials called the campus officer, who asked her twice to leave school grounds, Bell said. She refused both times.The student was placed under arrest. What Does a Government Shutdown Mean for San Diego? As the two began walking towards the school’s office, the student tried to break free from the officer on two separate occasions, Bell said.That is when the officer forced the student to the ground.The teenager was then walked to a patrol vehicle and transported to LMPD, where she was evaluated by paramedics. The student received minor scrapes in the altercation, Bell said.The officer was not injured.Bell said the use of force was used “to prevent the student from escaping.”A group of students gathered Monday on campus to demand the school and the school district reprimand the officer involved. “We demand that the officer be removed from his position as school resources officer,” said Helix HS senior Leah Blake, adding that policies should be put in place to make sure this does not happen again.Blake described the student involved in the incident as a classmate who has been a kind and sweet girl in the four years she’s known her. Blake, who was not at school at the time of the incident, saw the video via Snapchat.   Kevin Osborn, Executive Director of Helix Charter High School, issued a statement Monday. “Incidents involving students or student disciplinary matters are confidential. As such, Helix Charter High School is not at liberty to discuss information regarding student incidents,” Osborn said. “We want to assure the community that actions taken by the School are guided by what is lawful and in the best interests of Helix Charter High School students, staff, and school community.” The student’s parents will be meeting with the administration and with attorneys, according to a woman who represented herself as a spokesperson for the student’s family.Helix Charter High School is located on University Avenue and is part of the Grossmont Union High School District.Photo Credit: Audra Stafford, NBC 7
Source: NBC San Diego