Police in Great Barrington are apologizing after responding to W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School earlier this month about a book reportedly banned in 26 school districts across the country.

Police searched an eighth grade classroom for the book "Gender Queer," a memoir by Maia Kobabe - who is nonbinary, after someone complained to the department that it contained pornographic images. The book had not been banned by the school district.  

The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts shared body camera footage which shows the officer speaking with the teacher and asking about the book.

In a Facebook post last week, Great Barrington Police Chief Paul Storti said their actions were not meant to disenfranchise anyone or influence school curriculum. In a letter to police and Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue, the ACLU says while they are happy to see the chief apologize, they're still concerned there has been no acknowledgment that what occurred was unwarranted and unauthorized by law.

The incident drew the attention of Gov. Maura Healey who said in a statement, “Book banning has no place in Massachusetts. Our administration stands with educators who are committed to ensuring that their students have inclusive, comprehensive resources.”