IN SUPPORT OF JUST, RESPECTFUL AND SAFE PUBLIC SAFETY PRACTICES FOR ALL

WHEREAS, as public school educators, it is our responsibility to protect the safety and well­being of all students and to promote equity and justice for all students, families and communities we serve; and

WHEREAS, the relationship between the police and the public in the United States is complex and multifaceted, such that, in some communities, there is a strong sense of trust and cooperation between the police and residents, while in others, there is a history of mistrust and tension; and

WHEREAS, in some communities, residents experience interaction with police whose tactics are too aggressive, which leads to feelings of intimidation and fear in the neighborhoods where they live; and

WHEREAS, such violence undermines the trust between communities of color and law enforcement, and creates fear and trauma for students, families and educators; and

WHEREAS, incidents of police violence have been shown to negatively affect the mental well­being of society overall, including students and the educators who serve them; and

WHEREAS, research has shown that exposure to police violence can have negative impacts on students’ mental and physical health, academic performance and overall well-being:

RESOLVED, that the AFT condemns all forms of police violence, particularly against Black individuals; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT demands that the United States Justice Department immediately and thoroughly investigate the proliferation of elite, barely supervised anti-crime tactical units in local police departments across the nation; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT stands firm against those who, through legislation and educational policies, seek to erase our nation’s history and our collective memories, resulting in widespread miseducation about the systemic barriers to safety, security, advancement and achievement; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT encourages ongoing education and dialogue within our schools and communities to raise awareness about the impact of police violence and to work together to build a more just and equitable society for all; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT supports consistent, ongoing professional development on racial competence for every public employee working with and in our schools and their surrounding communities.

Adopted May 28, 2025