Cops & Schools Gone Crazy

An article in the Guardian (link) described parents who were visited by the police and arrested on suspicion of harassment, malicious communications, and causing a nuisance on school property.

It all stems down to the parents saying things on social media, in a WhatsApp group, and repeatedly sending emails to the school - apparently about their daughter. (That's not a doubt against what they say, just that no one has seen any of the contents).

I will not disagree with the ability of the police to investigate the offences alleged, but to send six police officers to arrest two people, who, I will guess, aren't known to the police or known to be violent, seems excessive. I can say from personal experience, I've called 999 for drunks involved in a fight at my local. Two police officers* turned up; at least 3 people were involved. No backup ever arrived.

The things that actually scare me are some of the comments coming from the school.

People can raise issues with them as long as it's in a "suitable" way, and they'll take action against anyone who causes "disharmony. ".

What the f*ck!

Who decides what's a suitable way or what's disharmony?

Are people not allowed to share their opinions of their teachers and those who teach their children? Now, I would advise that being abusive online, etc, is not a good look and is not productive. But what happened to freedom of speech?

I'm a little old for this. However, my former head of year, Paul Leeman, was a useless, lazy excuse for a teacher. On the opposite side, my maths teacher. Cavan Kinsella - despite my hatred of him at the time - is a timeless example of great teaching whom I regret not respecting and listening to more.

Had I said what I did about Leeman publicly as a pupil, should my opinions not count? Surely, freedom of expression and protest, something I was taught was of importance in RS, counts? Probably not, which is disappointing. Naturally, it would be causing tension between me and the teachers and the school. But that's life.

On the other hand, if I were to call for Leeman to be shot, that would be a valid area of concern for the school, certainly at the more extreme end, the police.

Direct threats of harm or harassment against someone are wrong and the school and the police should be supported in acting. Voicing your opinions is not. Grow the f*ck up. Some people won't like you, they'll talk about you, sometimes publicly.

It's happened to me and I've done it to others, I'm an adult and I get on with things. Will it hurt sometimes? That's life.

*Those two officers were worth their weight in gold and sorted it out with no issues. But they were outnumbered regardless.