RALEIGH -- Wake County school administrators praised today the effectiveness of having armed police officers in schools, saying no major changes are needed in the program.
Russ Smith, Wake’s senior director of school security, presented survey data showing strong support from middle school and high school principals for the school resource officer program. He also pointed to data showing a 54 percent drop in violent incidents in Wake’s middle schools and high schools over the past six years.
“This indicates a program that is not broken and is working very well,” said Superintendent Tony Tata.
The school board had voted in June to have Tata review the effectiveness of the school resource officer program. Some board members questioned the training these officers receive, their use of force guidelines and how often they file criminal complaints against students.
Every Wake County middle school and high school has an armed law enforcement officer. The school district pays the costs for some of the officers.
While administrators praised the program, they indicated there are some areas they can work such as improving communications between the officers and the school district.
Smith said they’ll hold an annual meeting with the school resource officers, their supervisors and school officials before the start of the school year to enhance teamwork and cooperation. The first meeting is scheduled for Aug. 23.
