SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse police union president Jeff Piedmonte today called for officers to be removed from the Syracuse City School District, according to a news release from the union.

Piedmonte issued the statement in response to officer Vallon Smith being removed from Nottingham High School after his and another officer's arrest of a student last year was criticized by the Syracuse Citizen Review Board.

"We do not need officers in the schools who will not be supported by the administration," Piedmonte said in the statement.

The review board ruled Smith used excessive force, but the Onondaga County District Attorney's office exonerated Smith of wrongdoing in the arrest, which happened on Feb. 9, 2017.

The arrest left 14-year-old Jabari Boykins with a broken elbow.

Boykins family has filed a federal lawsuit against Smith, alleging the officer violated the teen's constitutional rights.

Boykins had refused to leave the high school after being suspended. As Smith walked behind Boykins to escort him out, Boykins told Smith he wasn't going to leave.

Smith grabbed Boykins and tried to arrest him as he pushed Boykins against the wall.

According to Piedmonte, Boykins bypassed metal detectors and Smith did not know whether Boykins was armed. Neither of those details were included in Smith's police report.

As Smith arrested Boykins with the other officer, Boykins threatened to spit at Smith, Piedmonte said. Smith pushed Boykins face to avoid being spit on and eventually took Boykins to the floor.

Piedmonte accused the school district of coddling bad students who misbehave.

"We have been told by many teachers they do not feel safe in the schools and that students' conduct is getting worse," Piedmonte said.

The Police Benevolent Association awarded Smith with its Valor Award in 2017.

In 2017, District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said Smith overreacted when he arrested activist Maurice 'Mo' Crawley. Crawley was videotaping Smith at a traffic stop. Smith took Crawley to the ground and arrested him.

Smith was referred to as "Officer Friendly" by students at Nottingham High School and administrators respected Smith, Piedmonte said.

Piedmonte said Boykins committed a crime by resisting arrest and that "whenever we use force it does not look pretty," elaborating that police are taught to gain control as quick as possible to avoid injuries to suspects or police. Smith used minimal force, Piedmonte said.

The union president added that he looked forward to Smith's case being heard in federal court.

"It isn't the students or parents that complained but outside influences," Piedmonte said, alleging in the release that professional protesters forced the school district to cave. He provided to further proof about the use of professional protesters.

"The ACLU continues to campaign to have officers removed from the schools," he said.

Piedmonte suggested that officers work around the schools instead and only enter to make arrests.

"Syracuse City Schools went to a minimal discipline policy years ago and now they apparently want to support students resisting arrest," Piedmonte said. "The Syracuse PBA is encouraging the mayor, superintendent and Chief Fowler to remove the officers for everyone's safety. I'm sure the teachers will appreciate the show of support."