Barnstable Teachers Association Supports Having Police In Schools

BARNSTABLE, MA — Members of the Barnstable Teachers association have come out against a recommendation that supports removing police officers from Massachusetts schools.

Last week, the Massachusetts Teachers Association recommended phasing out school resource officers and instead supporting programs that benefit mental health, social and emotional well-being and public health.

The recommendation comes as protestors nationwide call for an end to systemic racism and police brutality following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and Rayshard Brooks. Some of the protestors have called for defunding police budgets and allocating funds for community oriented programs.

The Barnstable Teachers Association in a statement said they do not support moving away from school resource officers, and they stand by their relationship with the Barnstable Police Department.

"Our school resource officers are just that—a wonderful resource to our students and our staff." the statement read. "They make connections with kids and uplift our school communities."

Police in a statement thanked Barnstable Teachers Association for supporting their work in local schools. They also expressed frustration with the state association, arguing they do not value the time and effort school resource officers put in to build positive life-long relationships with students.

"If you are in favor of taking SROs out of schools, please understand that we are doing so much more than simply providing security and law enforcement within the schools," Barnstable police said in a statement. "We are an ear that will listen, a coach, a mentor, an educator, a trusted adult, a counselor, a service provider, a facilitator of resources, among so many other positive things to all the students of the schools regardless of race, gender, economic status, etc. The law enforcement aspect of being an SRO is very minimal."