LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Lawyers with the ACLU Nevada will represent Durango High School students who were arrested by Clark County School District police officers last week, the organization announced on Wednesday.
Video of the arrest shared on social media prompted CCSD to order an internal investigation into the incident. Superintendent Dr. Jesus Jara also ordered CCSD Police Chief Mike Blackeye to conduct a complete review of the department's use of force policies.
The video shared with KTNV shows one CCSD police officer throwing a student to the ground, pushing on their neck and kneeling on their back.
In a previous statement, CCSD Police said the incident stemmed from a report of a student with a weapon on the high school's campus.
13 INVESTIGATES: Video of local high school student's arrest prompts investigation
"It's disgusting that school police officers can attack children without being held accountable," ACLU Nevada executive director Athar Haseebullah stated.
The ACLU called for the officer's termination, and for Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson's office to investigate.
"The officer hasn't been terminated," Haseebullah continued. "There are no statements from the District Attorney that they are attempting to seek justice for these kids or have opened an investigation of the officer's conduct here. It's sad and pathetic."
I'll share what the executive director of ACLU of Nevada has to say about the Durango High incident tonight at 5 & 6 on @KTNV. https://t.co/dJPbgyOyAE
— Jaewon Jung (@jaewonnews) February 15, 2023
In a statement on Wednesday, Chief Blackeye said the officer has been assigned to other duties pending the outcome of the department's investigation.
"A complete and thorough investigation in accordance with the law, policy, and collective bargaining agreements must occur," Blackeye stated. "Anything less would be a disservice to all parties involved."
The CCSD Police Department plans to organize an advisory board to inform school police about school safety and policies, Blackeye added in his statement.
Haseebullah, the ACLU director, told KTNV he wants the officers involved to be held accountable.
"It's as if these government entities only believe justice should exist for white adults and not Black children. If these same government entities in Nevada refuse to seek justice and accountability when an incident here is so obviously egregious and unlawful, the ACLU of Nevada will," Haseebullah stated.
