Jennifer S. Norris

I am writing to express my outrage with the way Officer Ben Fields handled the situation with the high school student at Spring Valley High in front of the other kids no less.

First we do not know what kind of background this not fully matured kid has endured. She didn’t do anything criminal.  A proper response to what is considered a non criminal act would have been detention maybe. It’s not worth disrupting the entire class to traumatize all of them.

Secondly, I have Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD). If a cop did that to me, I would black out and attempt to fight back because the violence was first initiated by him. I cannot guarantee that I wouldn’t swing at him simply out of instinct, fight or flight, and survival mode. That should not be used against her in any way.

Thirdly, that one violent act could have broke her neck, paralyzed her, or given her a traumatic brain injury. She most likely will lose trust for all authority and she may develop some form of PTSD.

Lastly, the school and people in America who have stuck up for this police officer and condoned this inappropriate violent behavior are what is wrong with society. Violent crime is on the rise and now we know why. We have child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault and murder problems in this country. We need you now more then ever. I am so sorry that one officer hurt the public perception of yet another honorable profession.

I applaud you for firing him despite what my fellow Americans are saying. You have compassion for people and you are the kind of leaders we need in these important positions. Stand by your decision. You are doing the right thing.

I along with others would like to see assault charges pressed against the officer. We can let the courts determine whether or not he is guilty once all the facts have been heard. The victim of this crime needs to know that not all police are bad. You could really turn this around by sticking to the message that this kind of response is never appropriate in a school setting, no matter what the kid says or does. We must find a better way.

Related:
Student Who Videotaped Incident Speaks Out
KING: S.C. teen assaulted by deputy is in foster care
Life is even harder now for the S.C. teen assaulted by ex-Deputy Ben Fields — she’s in foster care
Girl thrown from desk didn’t obey because the punishment was unfair, attorney says
Lawyer: Student in Deputy Video Injured, is in a Cast
Everything You Should Know About The Spring Valley High School Assault
King: Reactions to deputy’s assault on S.C. teen are sick
Go Fund Me Account for the Spring Valley High Assault Victim
Charge Deputy Ben Fields with Assault! (Petition)