Saskatoon school facing criticism for costume rules comparing police to Hitler

Some public backlash Friday forced a Saskatoon high school to delete a social media post that lumped police in with the likes of Adolf Hitler and Ted Bundy.

A photo posted on St. Joseph High School’s Instagram account was deleted and an apology was issued by Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools after the photo outlined “costumes to avoid.”

Students were advised to avoid wearing Halloween costumes “depicting perpetrators of violence” before listing police, Hitler, Bundy and Christopher Columbus as examples.

“The concern I have heard has come directly from the police and the police association,” said Derrick Kunz, a communications consultant with the school division.

“We’ll work with them to make sure that they’re well aware of no ill intent for that oversight on posting that.”

Saskatoon police declined an interview request from 650 CKOM, but did issue an email statement saying, “we learned of a post that was made in error.”

“We enjoy strong partnerships with both Saskatoon school divisions and look forward to building on them in the future,” the short statement read.

Kunz said the photo being posted was an oversight that was quickly deleted, but not before the damage was done.

“It’s the internet; it goes fast,” he said. “When an oversight is made, you hit the delete button, but of course, it’s still there.”