A school resource officer (SRO) in a wealthy suburban district of New York has been suspended due to inappropriate comments made on social media regarding the assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk. The officer, Tanisha Blanche, who works for the Westchester County Police Department and is assigned to Somers Intermediate School, faced backlash after screenshots of her posts circulated online. These comments surfaced following Kirk’s fatal shooting at an event at Utah Valley University, where Blanche reportedly made mocking references to his death.
Screenshots show Blanche making derogatory remarks about Kirk and expressing a lack of sympathy for those mourning him. One particular post implied that the shooter had acted with excessive skill, with Blanche questioning why people were upset about Kirk’s assassination. In another post, she appeared to highlight the shooter’s race and the context of the incident, further inciting outrage among social media users and the community.
The fallout from these comments led to Blanche’s removal from her duties at the school, and she will now be limited to administrative tasks pending an investigation by the Westchester County Police Department. The police department confirmed her change in status following the dissemination of her posts online, which sparked significant controversy and concern from the community.
Somers Superintendent Adam Bronstein addressed the situation in a letter to parents, condemning Blanche’s posts as “completely unacceptable” and accused of glorifying violence. He emphasized that the local police department acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, and assured parents that a new SRO would be assigned to the school promptly. The statement aimed to reassure parents and stakeholders about the commitment to safety within the school environment.
In light of the national discourse surrounding mental health and violence, the incident highlights broader issues regarding the responsibilities of school resource officers and their social media conduct. Blanche’s comments not only jeopardized her position but also raised critical questions about the effects of public service members expressing personal opinions in potentially harmful ways.
As the investigation unfolds, none of the involved parties, including the Somers Central School District and Tanisha Blanche, have provided additional comments. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of social media use among public officials, especially in sensitive matters involving violence and race, further complicating the dialogue around educational environments and community safety.
