Nora O’Neill: The Charlotte Observer
Troutman Police Chief Josh Watson says he will no longer allow his officers to work off-duty security at Iredell-Statesville Schools board meetings, citing concerns that officers have been asked to remove speakers without sufficient legal justification.
The decision, effective Oct. 26, follows an Oct. 12 meeting in which school board Chairman Doug Knight directed officers to remove a man who was reading sexually explicit passages from a book reportedly available in a district high school library. Watson told The Charlotte Observer the incident was the latest in a series of confrontations that raised concerns about the role of law enforcement at school board meetings.
“It’s been a very contentious school board for several years and I don’t want to see our officers put into the middle of these things, especially when it seems like they’re being used to be like a bouncer for the school board,” Watson said.
Watson said he believes officers were asked to remove the speaker without sufficient legal grounds, potentially interfering with his constitutional rights.
“At a public meeting, people have a right to speak, protest the government, seek redress from the government,” he said.
During public comment Oct. 12, conservative pastor and activist John Amanchukwu began discussing “Push,” a novel by the author Sapphire that he said was available at Lake Norman High School. Before Amanchukwu began reading passages, Knight warned him against using sexually explicit language, suggesting he substitute initials or omit certain words.
“That’s censorship,” Amanchukwu responded. “I haven’t even read a word.”
Amanchukwu proceeded to read several passages describing sexual abuse. Knight repeatedly interrupted, declared him out of order and warned that he could be removed. The two also disputed whether Amanchukwu’s allotted speaking time had expired.
When Amanchukwu refused to sit down, Knight directed police officers to escort him from the meeting.
Watson said the two officers approached Amanchukwu but did not physically remove him. Instead, they stood nearby until he left voluntarily, then accompanied him out.
The officers brought their concerns to Watson the following day, he said.
Watson said he believes there was no violation of the law that would have justified removing Amanchukwu. He said his officers were being put in a difficult position, having to assess constitutional protections in the middle of heated exchanges.
The October incident wasn’t the first time Knight directed officers to remove someone from a board meeting.
During a June 24 special meeting, Knight ordered the removal of fellow board member Anita Kurn following a heated discussion over a vacant board seat, according to Iredell Free News.
Kurn continued speaking after being ruled out of order and Knight issued multiple warnings before asking officers to remove her. Two other board members subsequently walked out, leaving the board without a quorum and forcing the meeting to adjourn.
Watson said he subsequently met with Knight, Superintendent Jeff James and another board member to discuss concerns about officers being asked to enforce meeting rules in ways that could infringe on protected speech. Watson said he had also consulted attorneys and people at the UNC School of Government about the legal boundaries of public comment.
Watson said he decided to discontinue the security assignments rather than risk another confrontation. In a letter sent to district leadership last week, Watson wrote that a request from a presiding officer does not automatically establish sufficient legal grounds for removal, detention or arrest.
The department will continue responding to calls for law enforcement assistance at board meetings within Troutman’s jurisdiction. Officers can also continue working approved off-duty assignments at school sporting events and other school activities.
Watson said he could reconsider the decision if board members demonstrated an understanding of the legal limits on restricting public comment.