BCPS launches initiative to hire safe school officers
The Broward County Public Schools district is taking significant steps towards ensuring the safety of its students. The district is currently looking to hire dozens more armed guards to patrol its schools. The move comes as part of an effort to add an extra layer of security to school campuses after the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.
To qualify for these armed safe school officer positions, applicants must hold certain security licenses in the state and have at least two years of experience in security, military, or law enforcement. The main goal of these guards is to be ready to act in case of a threat. The school police department also hopes that these guardians will interact with students and build relationships with them.
The district has approximately 40 openings for these positions, and school police are looking to get these so-called guardians in the hallways of schools as soon as possible. The safe school officer position is full-time and comes with benefits.
“Those schools that currently do not have an SRO are being filled with these armed civilians with the intention and idea of stopping a threat that comes onto the campus,” said BCPS police Lt. Cary Vesco. “With the amount of unfortunate incidents lately in the media, related to school shootings and whatnot, the safety and security of our students is paramount.”
Broward County Public Schools is committed to ensuring that its schools are as safe as possible. The school police department hopes to fill these positions as soon as possible, to make sure that the district’s schools are well-equipped to deal with any potential threat.
