Although retiring Police Chief Marcus Jones hasn’t started his new role as Chief of Security and Compliance for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), several groups are speaking out against his appointment.
Young People for Progress, Silver Spring Justice Coalition and Jews United for Justice joined the Decriminalize Montgomery County Campaign to oppose Jones’ recent appointment by the Board of Education.
According to these groups, Jones’ background with the Montgomery County Police Department and his 38 years in law enforcement “makes him unsuitable for working with students.”
Previously, the Decriminalize Montgomery County Campaign fought to end the School Resource Officer program. Under that program, sworn police officers were assigned inside schools.
Currently, the county police force works together with MCPS when requested by the schools. The Community Engagement Officer program is not backed by Decriminalize Montgomery County Campaign, which in a news release said that “an officer’s unique role is to connect students to the criminal justice system.”
“We are deeply concerned that Chief Jones will expand the role of police officers in MCPS,” the groups announced in the news release.
Rather, these organizations would prefer counselors, social workers and restorative justice coaches work with students when needed.
