County Commission Approves 6 New SROs, Though County Cost To Be $1,137,400 Over 4 Years

  • Wednesday, October 19, 2016

The County Commission on Wednesday approved six new School Resource Officers under a $750,000 federal grant, though the county's share will be $1,137,400 over four years.

Part of the county cost will be $325,000 for equipment and autos for the new SROs.

Sheriff Jim Hammond said it has tentatively been decided where the SROs will go, but he said it will not be announced until next week.

The choices were made based on "schools that appear to have the greatest risk for problems."

The county currently has 24 School Resource Officers.

Sheriff Hammond said he would like to see them in all county school high schools and middle schools.

County Mayor Jim Coppinger said the county will have to amend its budget to cover the first-year cost and then find the other money in upcoming budgets.

"We're prepared to do that," he said.

Commissioner Sabrena Smedley, who chairs the commission's education committee, said a top priority is "protecting our children."


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