JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Duval County Public Schools fired a school safety officer Tuesday, saying he admitted pointing a realistic replica of a gun at the head of a Ribault High School student who has cognitive deficiencies.
Joshua Gwynes received a notice informing him, “Your conduct as an employee of Duval County Public Schools has been deemed unacceptable and requires formal administrative action recommending termination of your employment.”
The incident happened April 30, 2019, when Gwynes was responding to reports of a student with a firearm, the school district said, but other officers determined it was a replica before Gwynes arrived.
“Your actions were unacceptable for a police officer, and goes directly towards the emotional and mental abuse of the student, regardless whether the student possessed the mental capacity to fully understand the impact of your actions,” the district’s statement said.
The statement also said the officer went against commonly understood law enforcement training principles.
"It is standard law enforcement training that a firearm is never pointed at anyone, loaded or unloaded, real or replica, except in sanctioned training or in an actual imminent life or death situation," the statement said.
Gwynes' family told First Coast News they disagree with the report by the district.
Steve Zona with The Fraternal Order says, "FOP believes Chief Edwards erred in his decision to fire Officer Gwynes and we believe this will be demonstrated as Gwynes exercises his due process rights of appeal."
Zona says a civil service board hearing has already been set and he will be represented by the FOP and their attorney.