BEDFORD – Lawrence County commissioners signed a contract presented by Sheriff Greg Day allowing him to swear in and help train and hire a school resource officer at Springville Community Academy.
“Safety of our kids is a huge issue, especially with what happened in Tennessee yesterday,” said Day. “If they are willing to fund an officer we should do this.”
On Monday, a shooter killed three 9-year-old students and three adults at a private Christian elementary school in Nashville. The shooter had maps of the school, left behind writings, and scouted a second possible attack location, police said. Police identified the shooter as Audrey Hale, a 28-year-old former student at the school, and called the attack targeted. Hale was shot and killed by police during the attack, which was the deadliest school shooting in nearly a year.
The hiring of the officer will not cost the county any money. Day has been working with SCA Principal Jayme Davis to iron out an agreement.
“The school has secured a Homeland Security grant to pay for the officer,” added Day. “The officer will only have police duties as a resource officer.”
Sheriff Day will swear in the new hire as a special deputy. The officer will follow all the rules and regulations of the Sheriff’s Department.
The school board will be responsible for paying the officer’s salary, training, benefits, and equipment.
The person hired for the position must be a graduate of the police academy and then be approved by Day for the position.
“We would provide the officer with training and then invoice the school quarterly for training costs,” added Day.
The Sheriff’s Department will donate a 2000 Crown Victoria vehicle to the school. The school would be responsible for all of the gas and vehicle upkeep.
The contract will now be presented to the school board for approval and the hiring process will begin.
