Future of safety officer undecided

The safety officer at the San Juan North Secondary school, who said he made a split-second decision to strike two male students to stop them from fighting, is awaiting a decision on his future at the school from the security manager.

In a telephone interview yesterday, the safety officer told Newsday he is still on the job and recently had a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Education, including Education Minister Anthony Garcia.

“I have to meet with officials sometime next week,” he said, “and I am still at the school. There is much to be done and I am doing what is required of me as a safety officer until a decision is made.”

Garcia confirmed he attended a meeting last week with the security manager, security assistant manager, and the safety officer.

He said the matter was now in the hands of the security manager, who will make recommendations, which Garcia has not yet received.

“There is a process that has to be followed. I don’t handle disciplinary matters, but it has to go through a process and the PS will receive the recommendations...of course I will see a copy, but I have not seen it as yet.”

Last month, a video involving two male students engaged in a fight at the school, on the second floor of Block E at the administration building back in May, resurfaced on social media. The video showed the safety officer tapping both students in what he explained was an attempt to prevent one from inflicting serious bodily harm on the other.