School officer fired for 'unbecoming' behavior, 'unwanted communications'

 

CONCORD TOWNSHIP, Ind.-- A Concord Community Schools police officer was fired Monday.

In a statement, the district is saying they investigated an instance of unwanted communication with a recently graduated former student.

No crimes were committed, the district confirmed, but the behavior still cost the officer his job.

The question remains: was Eric Schuman, the officer named by the district, crossing a line?

In a statement to ABC57 News, the district wrote, "Early last month, Concord Community Schools administrators were alerted of unwanted communications made by a Concord Community Schools police officer to a former, recently graduated student."

For some, this behavior is totally inappropriate.

"My first thought when I heard this is they could have potentially been messaging prior to graduation. These things just don't happen on their own, there may have been a previous history," said Margaret Easton, a former Concord parent. "If they are communicating with students in an effort to build a personal friendship of any form, that's a different issue."

Starting September 5, the district put Officer Schuman on paid leave to investigate the incident.

According to Concord Schools, they “...determined that Officer Schuman’s conduct was not unlawful, was not an exchange of photos or videos, but was unbecoming of a law enforcement officer – especially an officer assigned to serve and protect students and staff – and in doing so violated board policy."

As of Monday, Schuman was fired.

But some think this isn't worth a man losing his job.

"Male officer, messaging a female graduate from Concord who was over 18, an adult, so what's the problem?” said Thomas Nowicki, former Concord grandparent. “No problem, I don't see it as a problem."

ABC57 contacted Schuman, who declined to comment.

But Peregrin said the incident was worrisome.

"There is an imbalance of power in that relationship, which is certainly not behavior fitting a law enforcement officer," she said.

According to the Indiana Center for the Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide, one in ten children will be abused before their 18th birthday. Also, 90% of sexual abuse happens at the hands of someone that the child knows.

To be clear, Eric Schuman has not been accused of any crime in this case.