COLUMBIA — Mark Brotemarkle returned to work as a resource officer at Hickman High School on Monday.
Lynn Barnett, assistant superintendent for the schools, said that the school district left the decision to police.
"We made a recommendation to the police department that we wanted to be cautious about (Brotemarkle's) return, " said Barnett.
The family and a mentor of Hickman student Diamond Thrower met Monday evening with members of the Columbia Police Department to discuss a resolution regarding the treatment of Thrower during a fight that occurred last
Wednesday at the high school. Those in attendance made objections to her
treatment by school resource officers.
Capt. Zim Schwartze; Interim Chief Tom Dresner;
Diamond Thrower; Thrower's sister, LaKisha Houston; Thrower's mother,
Sheila Johnson, and Ray Magruder, Thrower's mentor and spokesperson
for the family, attended the meeting, which began around 5 p.m. on Monday and lasted until
around 6:45, Magruder said.
"I was very pleased at the professionalism and
patience that was displayed yesterday," said Magruder, who did not want to discuss specifics about what happened in the meeting. "I have confidence that this
will be used as a baseline to make the changes and impact the community
overall."
Magruder said it was "way too early" for Brotemarkle to return to Hickman,
especially before the investigation of his actions was complete. He was told the investigation would take four to five weeks.
He said Brotemarkle's presence was "prompting more issues" at the high school, though he did not say what those issues are. Magruder said he sent City Manager Bill Watkins an e-mail about Brotemarkle's return Tuesday but has not heard back from him.