GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Green Bay school board members say they’re still concerned by the recent police-involved shooting at Oshkosh West.
Seventeen-year-old Grant Fuhrman’s accused of stabbing Oshkosh West high school resource officer Mike Wissink last month. The attack ended with Wissink shooting the teen in the chest.
It has Green Bay’s school board wondering what guidelines the officers in their district follow. The members say they want more information.
At last night’s board meeting, they questioned police about deadly force policies for school resource officers.
“Because we’re in a school with students and kids right? Is there anything that’s more concrete as far as you absolutely do not do this?” asked board member Rhonda Sitnikau.
Green Bay police chief Andrew Smith says ultimately, no.
“The use of force guidelines that we have are the same whether an officer is at a school or in a school situation or whether they’re on the street or whether they’re at someone’s house.”
On officer says the type of force always depends on the situation.
“In the Oshkosh incident, the officer says he tried to grab his taser but couldn’t. So since he couldn’t grab a taser, he’s getting a barbecue fork put into his neck multiple times, he has a firearm accessible to him and he uses it. I don’t think that would be any different. He’s a person. It’s the same response any other person would have if your life was threatened.”
Board members also discussed informing parents about the school resource officers (SRO) and how they’re able to respond to students in violent situations.
“I think when we have a clear expectation, from a parent’s perspective, of what the role is of the SRO and the police in our community with our students, we can better advocate and elevate when we have concerns,” said board member Kristina Shelton.
The board only listened to officers about their role in schools. Members didn’t address whether any policies would change.
