MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota school district has banned a police officer from working as a substitute teacher after a series of “racist” actions that officials say included putting a student on the ground for a reenactment of the murder of George Floyd in 2020 by a Minneapolis officer.

The employment agency that placed him at Woodbury High School said Wednesday that he no longer works for them, while the Prescott, Wis., police department placed him on administrative leave pending of an internal investigation.

The man was a substitute English teacher Monday when he told students in four separate 10th and 12th grade classes that they might want to hear about his life as a police officer, school officials said. school in a letter addressed to students, families and staff.

In addition to reenacting the actions that led to George Floyd’s death, students also complained that the substitute teacher “repeatedly made racist comments,” “told sexist jokes,” “talked with disturbing details about the dead bodies he had seen,” said “Cops would be the best criminals” because “they know how to get away with stuff” and “said police brutality isn’t real ”, according to the letter.

The letter was signed by the principal of Woodbury High School and the superintendent and assistant superintendent of the South Washington County Schools District. It was clarified that the man was now prohibited from setting foot on properties in the district. They also said they reported the incident to the Minnesota Department of Education, the state teacher licensing board and the Woodbury Police Department.

Floyd died after a white officer pinned his neck to the sidewalk for 9 1/2 minutes despite the black man’s final pleas: “I can’t breathe.” Children were among the witnesses involved, including a teenager who filmed the video, which was widely viewed on social media. The police officer, Derek Chauvin, was convicted of murder.

Floyd’s death sparked protests that at times turned violent, testing Gov. Tim Walz’s leadership at one of the state’s most important moments and sparking a nationwide reckoning National Action Against Racial Discrimination and Police Misconduct.

“I particularly want to recognize the racial harm that occurred when the substitute teacher re-enacted the prone restraint that resulted in the murder of George Floyd,” wrote Principal Sarah Sorenson-Wanger.

“This reported behavior is reprehensible. I am embarrassed and sorry that this happened to our students. We will take as much time as students need to listen and create open space for courageous conversations that lead to healing, action, and education. The reported actions are not and will not be tolerated at Woodbury High School or South Washington County Schools,” the principal wrote.

The city of Prescott, Wis., identified him later Wednesday as Patrol Officer Steve Williams, a two-year veteran of the department. He was off duty and not performing official duties, the city said in a statement.

“The City of Prescott and the Prescott Police Department find the current allegations, if true, made against Mr. Williams to be very disturbing and reprehensible, and we do not condone his actions in any way,” the statement said.

A dispatcher in Pierce County, Wisconsin, said Williams was not working Wednesday and would not take a message for him.

Woodbury is a suburb southeast of St. Paul and the eastern suburbs of Minneapolis-St. The Paul metropolitan area extends into western Wisconsin, including Prescott.

The replacement was hired through Teachers on Call, a recruitment agency that is part of the national Kelly Education employment network. The company said Williams passed extensive background checks before being placed.

“The actions of this individual were unacceptable and the substitute teacher is no longer an employee of Teachers on Call,” company spokeswoman Danielle Nixon said in a statement. “We recognize the significant trust the public places in us to ensure our substitute educators maintain a safe learning environment. We have a zero tolerance policy for any form of violent, aggressive or harmful behavior.

Citing the ongoing investigation, she added that Teachers on Call is not releasing any additional information about its former employee.

Woodbury Police Chief Jason Posel said in a statement Wednesday that his department was “troubled by the preliminary information about what happened” and would fully investigate the incident, while showing compassion towards the students concerned.

Department of Education spokeswoman Anna Kurth said in an email that the state agency has been in contact with the district to offer resources to students, families and staff, but that under privacy laws, she could not confirm or deny receipt of a report or investigation. alleged mistreatment of minors.

The South Washington County Schools District says it serves approximately 18,700 students in 25 schools across seven communities. He says 37 percent of his students identify as a race other than white.

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