A complaint filed against RPS205, alleges that SROs are racially discriminatorily handling minor school disciplinary issues | MyStateline [Video]

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The National Center for Youth Law and the Macarthur Justice Center are calling on the US Department of Education’s Office For Civil Rights to take steps to ensure Rockford Public Schools disciplinary practices and use of school resource officers (SROs) does not discriminate against students of color in the district.

The complaint filed, alleges that SROs are racially discriminatorily handling minor school disciplinary issues.

“What we want is for all RPS students to feel safe and connected,” said Nation Center of Youth Law Attorney Nina Monfredo. “And, you know, right now we know that black students in particular are not feeling safe or connected because they are experiencing discriminatory police referrals.”

The complaint alleges that the “criminalization of youthful behavior” in the district creates “a direct pathway from schools” to the adult criminal justice system for Black students.

“MacArthur was really alerted to this issue through the ProPublica reportingon the ticketing of students that’s been going …