WINSTON SALEM, N.C. -- Police are looking into an incident between a student at Hanes Magnet Middle School and a member of the School Resource Officer Unit.

  • Student claims SRO officer and administrators chased her and threw her to the ground
  • Video taken by onlooker posted to Facebook
  • Police are working with the school to investigate the issue.

The incident was captured in a video that was posted to Facebook back on October 5.

 

 

Rockeal Baldwin, 14, claims she got a hall pass from her teacher to go to the principal's office, so she could call her mom because she wasn't feeling well.

However, instead she went to the guidance counselor's office. While heading there, Baldwin says the principal and another administrator along with School Resource Officer T.B. McCormick were following her.

The 14 year old says the McCormick was pulling her to go into the office. She then headed toward the door to leave the school and the he followed her. According to her, McCormick tried to trip her to get her down but instead she walked over his leg. At that moment, she says he slammed her to the ground. 

The video of the incident was taken by an onlooker. Once Baldwin realized this, she says she began to scream for help.

Baldwin and her twin sister, Rockeila, were suspended from school until Wednesday, which will be followed by in school suspension.

Her mom says she refuses to take them back to Hanes Magnet School because she doesn't want any of the administration near her kids. She is planning on getting a lawyer to see what her options her. 

Winston-Salem Police responded on Tuesday by stating, Members of the Winston-Salem Police Department were made aware of a video posted on Facebook on the morning of Friday, October 5 that depicts the arrest of a juvenile on the campus of Hanes Magnet Middle School by a member of our School Resource Officer Unit.  The identity of the juvenile and the circumstances of the arrest are known to authorities. As is standard procedure, the Professional Standards Division is conducting an Administrative Investigation of the incident."

On Wednesday, Winston-Salem police followed up with more information specifically on School Resource Officer T.B. McCormick.

"Officer McCormick subsequently commenced a “Disorderly Conduct by Fighting” investigation, which remains ongoing at this time.  Officer McCormick was equipped with a body camera that was utilized to capture the investigative actions taken by the officer on that date.  

Recent social media posts have resulted in media inquiries seeking additional information regarding the incident and investigation.  The release of additional information in this matter, beyond the information included in the prior Public Record Releases, is prohibited by North Carolina General Statue 7B-3000; which prohibits the release of juvenile justice records.  Therefore, no further information on the actual incident can be released at this time."

Police also say McCormick has not had any allegations of excessive use of force during his employment and that he held the "correct temperment" at the time of employment. 

A statement from the school says that they are aware of the video and working with police to investigate the issue.

The rest reads, "Student privacy laws prevent me from speaking to any potential student disciplinary actions surrounding what happened before and during the incident captured on video.  I cannot speak to police policy and procedure, they will have to answer those questions.  As you know, the SRO is an employee of the Winston-Salem Police Department and their partnership and efforts to help keep our campuses and students safe is crucial.  We have complete confidence they will look into the situation in accordance with their best practices and procedures."