Teen held in attack on school policeman

Originally published in the Philadelphia Daily News on Friday October 30, 2009.
By CHRISTINE OLLEY olleyc@phillynews.com 215-854-5184

A 17-year-old Frankford High School student was arrested and charged with assault and related offenses yesterday morning after a scuffle with a school district police officer who was trying to question him for alleged truancy, police said.
The incident began about 9:45 a.m. on Oakland Street near Fillmore in Northeast Philadelphia, about a block from the school, said James Golden, chief safety executive for the district.
"The young man ran back into Frankford High School and the officers gave chase," Golden said.
The student punched one of the officers in the face and both officers then subdued the youth until Philadelphia police arrived, Golden said.
Officers took the teen to Aria Health, Frankford campus, where he was evaluated for lip lacerations and a bloody nose, Golden said.
The student and the officer did not require treatment, Golden said.
Besides the assault charge, "the young man will face disciplinary action within the district," said Vincent Thompson, a district spokesman.
"It's a serious offense which could result in expulsion," he said.