Clearview's police brutality controversy 'out of hand,' parent says

HARRISON – Clearview Regional High School's class project on police brutality in Camden has been removed the hallway, but not before the image of a black silhouette with its hands over its head sparked controversy among parents and police in two towns.

The display, featuring "Hands up, Don't Shoot" written next to a black cutout of a person, sent local police officials into an uproar Wednesday morning when a photo of the project was posted to a public Facebook page.

Gloucester County Chiefs of Police Association President Robert Zimmerman — Pitman's police chief and a Mantua councilman — addressed the issue publicly on his Facebook page, announcing Wednesday afternoon the display was removed after conversations with the superintendent.

John Horchak, superintendent for the district serving Mantua and Harrison township, could not be reached.

The project was assigned to a humanitarian studies class by teacher Jennifer Satterfield, according to Melody Randle, whose daughter is one of four students who worked on the display about police brutality.

Randle told the Courier-Post it was "a good project" with "true facts about a real issue."

Other students completed projects on feminism and human trafficking, Randle added.

Portions of the poster too small to read from photos highlighted the progress Camden County Police have made, Randle claimed.

"The writing you can't see is the decrease in crime in Camden County when police started to be involved and interact with the community," Randle said.

The poster was hung in the hallway during Satterfield's third-period class.

In online public commentary, Zimmerman said he took issue not with the overall project, just the silhouette and the "hands up, don't shoot" portion of the display.

The gesture became a symbol of protest after the Aug. 9 killing of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teen in Ferguson, Missouri, and has become a symbol of police brutality protests nationwide.

"That portion of the project was not approved by the administration and that's what the controversy is all about," Zimmerman wrote.

"The approved silhouette would have painted the picture in a whole different light — a positive light — one that would create a bonding relationship between the police and community."

Harrison Township Police, which has a school resource officer dedicated to Clearview High School, is "taking it with a grain of salt," according to Mayor Louis Manzo.

Harrison's police officers are "connected to the community in a big way," he said.

While the teacher may have been well-intentioned, Manzo called the project and resulting controversy "irresponsible and sad."

Public comments on Zimmerman's Facebook statement called the project "tasteless" and the students "punk kids."

"I think the students were violated. The school caused them to be harassed," Randle said.

Her daughter is not likely to face disciplinary action, she indicated.

"It's one thing that just got out of hand. The students are feeling tormented, and the school is perpetuating it."

Carly Q. Romalino; (856) 486-2476; cromalino@courierpostonline.com