Kentucky schools required to have school resource officers by August 1

Muhlenberg Co., Ky (WFIE) – All Kentucky faculties at the moment are required to have faculty useful resource officers. College officers have till August to make it occur.

“It’s so necessary,” mentioned Muhlenberg County Faculties Assistant Superintendent Matt Perkins.

Muhlenberg County Faculties have already got 5 SROs throughout their buildings, and Perkins has seen a optimistic impression.

“It’s clearly a deterrent issue. When that regulation enforcement car everybody is aware of there’s somebody there all the time,” mentioned Perkins. “Our public likes that. Our dad and mom like that. They should really feel safe, particularly as issues proceed to occur sadly in different places.”

College officers like Perkins get pleasure from having the SROs round, however the impediment they’ve run into is getting sufficient officers to fulfill commonplace due to inadequate funding.

“We’re used to unfunded mandates and that’s not a political assertion, it’s only a reality,” he mentioned. “Typically earlier than the cash’s there we all know the necessity is there. We get collectively and say how can we make this occur.”

In Muhlenberg’s case, they’ve outsourced to native regulation enforcement to get extra officers on board, however they nonetheless don’t have sufficient.

Perkins says the distinction SROs have made motivates them to search out extra and quick.

“The connection piece they haven’t simply with the scholars however with the adults within the constructing can’t be missed,” Perkins mentioned.

Perkins says it’s greater than safety. The officers have been working to get to know the scholars by title and become involved at their actions so college students be taught to construct belief with them, and speak to them about any issues.

Faculties want to search out their SROs by August 1.

Copyright 2022 WFIE. All rights reserved.