This is extremely well-said. I fully support the BLM movement, but I do feel that we still need SROs. I taught in a school that was ~70% black the past two years, and the kids really respected our SROs (we had three). They would joke with them in the hallways, talk with them about their lives (one of them was a young black woman), but would still do their job when necessary. If things got violent, the kids usually complied when handcuffs had to be brought out/restraint was needed. Teachers and counselors can't do that. That's a lawsuit waiting to happen.

I know people say there aren't any good cops (tbh I am creeped out by most cops even without having to fear for being killed by one since I'm white), and it's probably my privilege speaking, but I feel we need SROs AND adequate mental health support in schools. Counselors aren't enough; our guidance counselors even said themselves that they are NOT trained mental health professionals. All we had was one social worker (who was useless) and a behavior specialist (who was great but overwhelmed being in a rougher, urban school where kids have lots of trauma). Just my two cents.