Texas 2023 School Police Law Drove Thousands of Student Force Encounters, Newsrooms Find
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 28
Texas 2023 School Police Law Drove Thousands of Student Force Encounters, Newsrooms Find
4 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 28
Thousands of Texas students have had physical encounters with school police since a 2023 law required an officer on every public school campus, according to a joint New York Times and San Antonio Express-News investigation.
The review examined thousands of pages of school use-of-force records, more than two dozen campus-police videos, and interviews with hundreds of students, parents, educators and officers.
One case involved 17-year-old honor student Anabelle Jaramillo, who was arrested over a $13 classroom doorbell in 2024; video shows officers pinning and handcuffing her as she struggled to breathe.
The findings focus attention on how Texas' post-2023 campus security mandate has translated into routine student-police confrontations, raising broader questions about enforcement practices in public schools.
Why are Texas students facing tasers for minor misbehavior after a law meant to protect them?
As some cities turn to crisis teams, why was a Texas honor student arrested over a $13 classroom doorbell?
After Uvalde: How Texas HB 3’s Armed Security Mandate Is Reshaping School Safety, Equity, and Mental Health
Overview
Texas House Bill 3 (HB 3) has led to a stronger focus on school security and a greater presence of armed personnel, but this shift has created major challenges for school districts. Limited training opportunities for handgun instructors and requirements like psychological evaluations make it harder to arm staff. At the same time, Texas faces a critical shortage of mental health professionals, forcing some districts to look out of state for support. As a result, schools are struggling to balance increased security demands with the need for student mental health services, impacting the overall well-being and safety of students.