Seattle Public Schools is weighing a pilot programme to reintroduce School Engagement Officers to Garfield High School, potentially ending a four-year absence of sworn police officers on campus following their removal during 2020 police reform protests.
The proposal emerged after multiple shooting incidents at the Central District school, including a fatal shooting in June 2024 that killed a 17-year-old student who attempted to break up a fight during lunch. The tragedy prompted Garfield administrators, staff, and parents to request district consideration of returning police officers to campus.
Recent graduates advocated strongly for the programme during Wednesday’s school board meeting. Athena McDermott, a 2024 Garfield graduate, emphasised the urgency facing returning students.
“One week from today, the school bell will ring, and students will flood back into the halls of Garfield, the clock will begin to tick, does that feel like a lot of pressure? It should,” McDermott told board members.
Fellow graduate Ryland Springer echoed calls for immediate action. “We don’t need your comfort, we need your action, and we need it before another class has to prepare a memorial at their graduation,” she said.
Under the proposed pilot, Seattle Public Schools and Seattle Police Department would collaboratively select an officer to teach classes, build student relationships, and intervene in situations that might otherwise require emergency response. Accountability Officer Ted Howard framed the decision as shifting “from reacting to incidents, towards building a culture where safety is inseparable from learning.”
However, the proposal faces significant opposition from student advocacy groups and community members who question police effectiveness in educational settings. The Seattle Student Union argues that mental health counsellors and “violence interrupters” would better address underlying issues than law enforcement.
“I would feel like if they were able to talk to someone like a mental health counsellor, that could have stopped that violence before it ever occurred,” said Leo Falit-Baiamonte, a Student Union spokesperson, citing National Education Association research.
Community feedback sessions revealed divided opinions within the Central District. Supporters like McDermott argue that previous School Engagement Officers maintained positive relationships with students and came from the local community. Critics express concerns about Seattle Police Department officer selection and training, particularly given reports of SPD personnel participation in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
The debate reflects broader national discussions about police roles in schools, particularly regarding impacts on students of colour. Opponents worry that any police presence could disproportionately affect Black and brown students through increased disciplinary actions and criminalisation of typical adolescent behaviour.
Proponents counter that immediate safety measures are necessary given recent violence. “While counsellors are valuable resources to schools, kids will not stop getting shot and killed at Garfield, because of counsellors alone,” McDermott argued.
The school board is scheduled to vote on the proposal September 17, with members expressing desire for additional community input whilst acknowledging the approaching school year deadline. The decision will test whether Seattle can balance police reform commitments with campus safety concerns following recent tragic incidents.
