A Prescott police officer has been placed on administrative leave after Woodbury, Minn., school officials said he reenacted George Floyd’s murder in a classroom and made racist and disturbing remarks to students.

Steve Wiliams, who has served as a Prescott patrol officer for two years, was serving as a substitute teacher while off-duty at Woodbury High School when the actions allegedly occurred.

According to a statement released by the City of Prescott, “Based on the information received from the school district and the active investigation by the Woodbury Police Department, the officer in question has been placed on administrative leave.”

According to an Oct. 16 South Washington County School District letter, which did not identify Williams by name, a substitute teacher for 10th and 12th grade English classes put a student on the ground in front of the class to reenact Floyd's murder. A City of Prescott statement identified Williams as the substitute teacher.

Floyd died in May 2020 when former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. The Black man was unarmed. According to an autopsy report, the coroner ruled Floyd’s death a homicide due to cardiopulmonary arrest from “law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression.”

According to the letter, Williams’ actions took place during more than one class period. He said he thought students would want to hear about his work as a police officer. The letter listed the following bullet points as a summary of things Williams allegedly said and did while subbing:

• Put a student on the ground in front of the class as part of a reenactment of the police actions that resulted in the murder of George Floyd.
• Twisted a student’s arm behind the student’s back and showed pressure points on the chin and face.
• Spoke about a bar fight and fake punched a student with his fist “really close” to the student’s face.
• “Invaded students' space” and mimicked holding up a gun and pointing it at students.
• Repeatedly made racially harmful comments.
• Told sexist jokes.
• Spoke in disturbing detail about dead bodies he had seen, and shared explicit details about two sexual assault cases he investigated.
• Shared specific names of people he arrested.
• Stated that “cops would be the best criminals” and that “they know how to get away with stuff,” stating that he once got an “A” on a paper about how to get away with murder.
• Spoke at length about his gun collection.
• Stated that “police brutality isn’t real.”

School district officials said in the letter the full report has been submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education and PELSB (educator licensing department) and Williams has been trespassed from any school district property.

“This reported behavior is reprehensible,” the letter stated. “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 City of Prescott’s statement said if the allegations against Williams are true, the city and Prescott Police Department find his actions to be “very disturbing, reprehensible and we in no way condone his actions. Our deepest sympathies go out to the South Washington School District, staff and students.”

Police Chief Eric Williams said his department is conducting its own internal investigation. The Journal has made an open records request to the Prescott Police Department for more information.

The South Washington County School District letter was printed by Minnesota Public Radio in its entirety.