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FBI to investigate officer-pupil clash in S Carolina US to investigate officer-pupil clash in S Carolina
(35 minutes later)
The US Justice Department and the FBI are investigating the case of a female student in South Carolina being tossed and dragged by an officer. The US Justice Department is looking into why a female student in South Carolina was pulled from her desk by an officer and dragged across a classroom.
The incident occurred after the officer was called into a classroom when the student refused to leave. Spokeswoman Dena Iverson said the investigation will look into "the circumstances surrounding the arrest" to see if a federal law was broken.
Video footage shows the officer and her exchanging words before he knocks her down and drags her across the floor. The incident occurred at Spring Valley High School in Columbia when the unnamed student refused to leave class.
The officer has been placed on leave and there has been outcry from various civil rights and parents' groups. Video shows the officer knocking her down and pulling her across the floor.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, who asked the FBI to investigate, said he wanted to avoid a "conflict of interest". The officer, Ben Fields, has been placed on leave and there has been an outcry from various civil rights and parents' groups.
In a video obtained by South Carolina's WIS network, the officer, Ben Fields, is seen confronting the pupil, who is sitting at her desk. They then exchange words. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, who asked for federal help to investigate, said he wanted to avoid a "conflict of interest".
The FBI, which will carry out the probe, said in a statement it would "collect all available facts and evidence".
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division will assist in the investigation as well.
Mr Fields had been assigned to the school and was meant to protect students and faculty and promote anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives.Mr Fields had been assigned to the school and was meant to protect students and faculty and promote anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives.
The state's ACLU said such "egregious use of force" against young people in class was "outrageous".
What does a 'School Resource Officer' do?
source: Richland County Sheriff's Department
The officer is white and the female student, who was unharmed, is black, the sheriff's office said.The officer is white and the female student, who was unharmed, is black, the sheriff's office said.
The incident comes at a time of increased scrutiny of police and their use of force against African Americans.The incident comes at a time of increased scrutiny of police and their use of force against African Americans.
One group called the Richland Black Parents Association said the video "revealed what many African American parents have experienced in this district for a very long time."