Shocking photo shows cop-turned-teacher reenact George Floyd murder with a student

A police officer turned teacher who reenacted the murder of George Floyd with a student has been banned from school after shocking pictures emerged.

Steven Dwight Williams, 48, was also placed on administrative leave by the Prescott Police Department in Wisconsin, after school officials said he said police brutality isnt real, and made racial remarks.

On Monday, the teacher put a Woodbury High School student on the ground to mimic how Floyd was fatally restrained, according to a letter from Principal Sarah Sorenson-Wagner to students families.

Shocking images show Williams crouched down with his knee hovering above a student, who lies face down.

The moment echoes the murder of unarmed black man George Floyd at the hands of officer Derek Chauvin who infamously knelt on Floyds neck for more than nine minutes. 

Cop-turned-teacher Steven Williams has been banned from school after shocking pictures emerged of him reenacting the murder of George Floyd with a student

The principal also said the teacher pretended to point a gun at students, twisted a students arm behind their back, and showed pressure points on the chin and face, The Minnesota Star Tribune reported.

Williams has been a patrol officer for the past two years and has previously served for many years in Wisconsin and Montana.

Based on the information received from the school district and the active investigation by the Woodbury Police Department, the officer in question has been put on administrative leave, Prescott police said.

Mr. Williams was not serving in any official capacity as a police officer for the City of Prescott when the alleged actions occurred. 

The City of Prescott and Prescott Police Department find the current allegations, if true, made against Mr. Williams to be disturbing and reprehensible, and we in no way condone his actions.

The incident occurred on the first day Williams was teaching at Woodbury, but he had substituted at least seven times at other South Washington County Schools.

He was teaching two different English classes for sophomores and seniors and also spoke in graphic detail about dead bodies he had seen and shared inappropriate details of two sexual assault cases he claimed he investigated, KTSP reported.

Williams, 48, was also placed on administrative leave by the Prescott Police Department in Wisconsin

The letter from the principal said he told sexist jokes and invaded students space, one time fake punching student really close to their face as he recounted a bar fight he had been in.

The principal also said the teacher said cops would be the best criminals because they know how to get away with stuff.

He also claimed he got an A on a paper about how to get away with murder.

The Woodbury Police Department is working to investigate the incident, and a full accounting of events was filed with the Minnesota Department of Education as well.

The alleged re-enactment happened more than four years after Floyd was murdered by former Minneapolis Police Officer Chauvin on May 25, 2020.

Chauvin knelt on Floyds neck for more than nine minutes, contributing to his death.

Graphic video of the murder triggered nationwide protests that demanded major reform to police departments.

Chauvin and three other Minneapolis officers were convicted for their roles in Floyds death.

The incident took place at Woodbury High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Monday

I specifically want to acknowledge racial harm that occurred when the substitute teacher reenacted the prone restraint that resulted in the murder of George Floyd, Sorenson-Wagner wrote in her letter.

This reported behavior is reprehensible, she added. I am embarrassed, and I am sorry this happened to our students. We will take as much time as students need to listen and create open space for courageous conversations that lead to healing, action and education.

 The principal said the school told its staffing agency, Teachers on Call, not to fill any future vacancies in the district  with Williams.

Woodbury Public Safety has partnered with the school district to look into the allegations against the teacher, according to Chief and Director Jason Posel.

We are disturbed by the preliminary information of what occurred, Posel said. The safety of the students, teachers, staff and our community is our top priority. 

We will investigate this incident to the fullest extent, while showing compassion to the students impacted.