Kitchener students accused of racist social media posts won't be charged: Police
'All parties involved realized the insensitivity of the remark,' Const. Andre Johnson says
Two students at Huron Heights Secondary School in Kitchener will not face any charges after they were accused of making racist social media posts in February.
Const. Andre Johnson said investigators spoke to the two students who made the posts, as well as students who allegedly made threats in response to the posts.
"We have concluded our investigation, pending no further information, and no criminal charges will be laid," Johnson told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo.
The two students were told to "stay at home indefinitely" while police and the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) investigated the posts. The board said it was made aware of "inappropriate and disturbing social media posts of a racially motivated nature" on Feb. 18.
Johnson said the school resource officer was "heavily involved and worked with our school partners to ensure the safety of all students, and to ensure that all parties involved realized the insensitivity of the remark."
School community spoke out against posts
CBC K-W received two emails with photos of the alleged posts. They contained racist imagery. The people who sent them indicated the photos had been reported to school administrators but nothing was done.
In a statement, WRDSB said they are disappointed in the alleged conduct of the students, and they're proud of the student community that brought the issue forward "and their refusal to allow it to continue."
Jeff Klinck, the principal of Huron Heights Secondary School in Kitchener, issued a statement at the time saying messages like those investigated "are never appropriate and never funny."
In an email Tuesday morning, WRDSB chief communications officer Alana Russell said there is no update on this situation and "we wouldn't disclose information about student disciplinary processes to the media."