Q: What can be done about school police harassment and false marijuana accusations?
I am concerned about the school police officer harassing me by calling and accusing me of smelling like marijuana, advising me not to return to my son's school. Previously, they accused my son of smelling like marijuana and made him take a drug test, which he passed. They have no evidence besides the claim of smell, and no disciplinary action has been taken against my son or me. What can be done in this situation?
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A:
This kind of treatment is concerning and you have every right to address it. School police officers must follow proper procedures, and accusations based solely on an alleged smell without additional evidence may constitute harassment, especially when tests have disproven their claims.
You should document everything thoroughly—dates, times, exact statements made, and witnesses present. Request a meeting with the school principal or district administrator to formally report this pattern of behavior. Consider sending a follow-up email summarizing the meeting to create a paper trail. If the school is unresponsive, escalating to the school board or district superintendent may be necessary.
You might also benefit from contacting organizations like the ACLU or your local legal aid society for guidance. Some parents in similar situations have found success by bringing an advocate or attorney to meetings with school officials. Remember that you have the right to access your child's school and participate in their education without unwarranted harassment, and persistent false accusations can potentially be addressed through formal complaints or legal action if necessary.
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