Police in Schools: How to File a Complaint

Research has shown that the presence of School Resource Officers (“SROs”) worsens the school-to-prison pipeline, results in disproportionate policing of students of color and students with disabilities, and does not produce safer school environments. Despite the absence of evidence showing that SROs have a positive effect on school safety, North Carolina has dramatically increased funding for SROs over the last decade.

Southern Coalition for Social Justice, along with our community partners, actively works to raise awareness and accountability when it comes to the presence of SROs in North Carolina schools. Because there are 115 separate school districts across the state, and multiple schools within each district, understanding how to even submit a complaint, much less track school, district, and statewide trends about incidents involving SROs can be challenging.

This first-of-its-kind tool aims to help students, parents, and school employees navigate local policies regarding filing school complaints in connection with SROs.

Complaint Types

Student/Parent Complaint

Student, parent, or guardian wishing to file a complaint about the conduct of a School Resource Officer.

Employee Complaint

School employee wishing to file a complaint about the conduct of a School Resource Officer.

Title IX Sexual Harassment

Anyone who interacts with a school wishing to file a Title IX sexual harassment complaint about the conduct of a School Resource Officer.