Police say push-ups imposed on students of military civic school in Federal District were 'a joke to relax'
A police major in Brazil described the push-ups forced on students at a military civic school as a misguided attempt at humor, amidst backlash from parents and teachers.
Major Brooke, the spokesperson for the Military Police of the Federal District, stated that the push-ups enforced on students of CED 1 in Itapoã were intended as a light-hearted distraction, following criticism from parents and the Teachers' Union. This event occurred on Wednesday when students were reportedly made to do push-ups and knee-time due to a complaint about the color of their tracksuits, which police deemed inappropriate. According to Major Brooke, participation in these exercises was not mandatory, and students who chose not to participate were not forced to do so. He emphasized the presence of a physical education teacher during the activity.
In the wake of the incident, there was a swift response from the authorities. Major Brooke mentioned that the involved officers had been removed from their duties temporarily to ensure the integrity of the investigation into the situation. This move was made to clarify exactly what transpired and ascertain whether any protocols were violated by the police during their interactions with the students. The Education Secretary also mentioned that investigations were underway to address the parents' complaints about the event.
This incident raises broader concerns about the conduct of police in educational settings, particularly within military civic schools where discipline can often blur the lines of appropriate behavior. The conflicting views regarding the nature of the exercise, whether it was intended as a serious form of punishment or a misguided joke, highlight the challenges that arise in such environments when authority figures engage with minors. The outcome of the investigation could have implications for similar institutions and the policies governing police involvement in schools across Brazil.