32.3 F
Show Low
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
HomeNewsLocal NewsArizona Dept. of Ed suggests retired police officers to fill SRO shortage.

Arizona Dept. of Ed suggests retired police officers to fill SRO shortage.

Earlier this year Tom Horne, the state superintendent of public instruction, announced the ADE’s School Safety Program provided funding to 301 schools to hire full time SROs. But months into the school year, 138 positions are still vacant, according to the department.  

The school safety task force consists of educators, legislators, mental health professionals and law enforcement held their final meeting Thursday to offer recommendations to improve school safety, some including making changes to state laws. 

Horne says current laws should be modified to allow retired law enforcement to serve as school resource officers, as departments deal with officer shortages nationwide. One proposed change to state law would allow retired law enforcement officers to works as school resources officers.

138 schools have been granted funds for an SRO but are unable to find suitable candidates, according to the task force. Link and list below.

“Statutes governing retirement and reemployment have been identified as barriers to allowing retirees to reengage their service as SROs,” the task force said.

“When they retire, they lose certification and legislation says you need to be certified so we need to change that,” Horne said. “We need to have some kind of licensing situation where right now if people retire, they are no longer certified, but they can get re-certified for the purpose of being a school resource officer. Right now, they can’t do that and that’s irrational. That should be an easy yes from any reasonable legislator, I would think.”

Changing the proposed legislation could start in January.

Horne says they would then look into the training needed for those retired officers to work in a school environment to bring them up to speed.

List of School Safety Program Award List.

  • Blue Ridge Unified School District No. 32 Blue Ridge Elementary School New SC/SW $72,600.00
  • Edkey, Inc. – Sequoia Choice Schools Sequoia Choice School Arizona Distance Learning School Current SC/SW $84,227.52
  • Holbrook Unified District Holbrook High School Current SRO $88,714.00
  • Sanders Unified District Valley High School Current SC/SW $85,760.00
  • Show Low Unified District Show Low High School Current SRO $125,375.33
  • Snowflake Unified District Snowflake High School Current SC/SW $79,542.00
  • St Johns Unified District St Johns Middle School Current SRO $195,606.15

Click on the document for more schools.

https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23821013/boardofed.pdf

Molly K Ottman Executive Editor/Journalist – JT Morgan Journalist for Mountain Daily Star

Date:

Related stories

Apache County Board of Supervisors votes to remove Whiting from office.

APACHE COUNTY- The Apache County Board of Supervisors has voted unanimously to remove indicted county attorney, Michael Whiting, from office.

‘Altercation’ between inmates breaks out at Winslow prison complex

BREAKING- An 'altercation' between inmates occurred at the ASPC-Winslow today, according to ADCRR Media Relations.

The Assyrian People | Denied Identity | Forgotten Martyrs of Christianity.

FEATURED- Former President Trump didn't pronounce 'Assyrians' correctly while giving a shout-out at an Arizona rally. The Assyrian community responded with dire concerns for their endangered identity, persecuted faith, and some aren't giving up. Assyrians want Americans to know who they are, learn about the genocide of their people, and realize there is an unfulfilled prophecy.

Cope Reynolds-Apache County Sheriff candidate | We have the answers

APACHE COUNTY-Cope Reynolds is running as the Independent candidate for the Apache County Sheriff position and will use the U.S. Constitution as his guide. We completed historical research on Reynolds' past and his ancestors, conducted an extensive interview, evaluated his military service, and gathered community notes all over Apache County. We have the answers.

Winter weather expected to hit Northern Arizona this weekend.

WEATHER-According to the National Weather Service, cold temps and some mixed precipitation are expected to enter our area Friday and Saturday. 

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

Translate »