Unlawful Arrest over School Complaints: Parents Awarded £20k Damages

In a victory for justice, Hertfordshire Police have paid £20,000 in damages to Rosalind Levine and Maxie Allen. The couple was wrongfully arrested after voicing concerns over their daughter’s school, leading to an 11-hour detention. This payout marks a significant recognition of their improper arrest, bringing relief to a family that endured emotional trauma.

An Emotional Turning Point

Following the arrest, Hertfordshire Police admitted that the “legal test around necessity of arrest was not met.” While no misconduct by specific officers was found, accepting liability was a crucial emotional moment for the family. Mr. Allen expressed profound relief, acknowledging their arrest as unlawful.

Dramatic Arrest and Emotional Impact

The tension escalated when six police officers arrived at Levine’s home in January, in front of her young child. The charges of malicious communications and causing a nuisance were baffling to Levine, who knew herself to be innocent. Encyclopedic records reveal that calling school leadership a “control freak” was considered the height of their alleged maliciousness. As stated in BBC, this ordeal significantly damaged their trust in authorities.

Challenging the School’s Decision

This episode began when Levine and Allen critiqued Cowley Hill Primary School’s leadership on a parents’ WhatsApp group and questioned head teacher recruitment processes. Their persistence led to a ban from school grounds but also flagged their earnest dedication to addressing issues concerning their disabled daughter. Despite these challenges, they continued correspondence to advocate for her needs.

A Frayed Relationship

The friction between the school and the couple resulted in a call to the police from the school, citing inflammatory social media posts. Nevertheless, the family asserts the innocence of their comments, with Allen remarking, “We asked some awkward questions… and expected proper processes.”

Seeking Closure

Though the ordeal left scars, particularly in Levine’s perception of law enforcement, the battle for justice ended in their favor with a payout. Yet, the question remains, as noted by Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards, why this private school matter was escalated to a police intervention.

This case serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of lawful conduct and the need to uphold individuals’ rights, resonating with a broader audience concerned with justice and accountability. “`