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April 2013 Issue
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School Safety

Newtown Considers Retired Officers for School Security

March 06, 2013 | Comments (1) | Post a comment

Newtown (Conn.) Police Chief Michael Kehoe has proposed hiring retired officers as "school security officers" to help beef up security at district schools, reports the New Haven Register.

The officers would only work while school is in session, which would help keep costs down, he said Tuesday night. The officers would only be required to work 180 days and would have the rest of the time off, Kehoe told the Board of Police Commissioners.

"I would look at that as maybe a unique position for a retired officer ... with the understanding that they're not doing exactly what a regular officer is doing," Kehoe said.

The proposal is part of the town's effort to put armed security personnel in each of the town's seven schools following the Dec. 14 mass shooting.

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I believe retired police officers have great experience and if combined with other certifications and responsibilities focused on school safety from a prevention and response perspective, this is a great idea. My opinion is that we should look at filling these positions with an individual who can conduct safety and security training, work with teachers and school leadership on intervention programs for high risk individuals and be certified and maintain weapons qualifications and high physical standards in the event they are in a position of being the first line of defense against an active shooter or similar threat. The key is to look at a position in the schools that combines police experience with other safety and security related education, experience and qualifications.
Ray Mey
March 6, 2013

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