New Alabama Law Allows the Hiring of Retired Officers to Police Schools
The law states police departments in Alabama can choose to hire retired police officers versus school resource officers to police the schools.
- By Sherelle Black
- September 17, 2019
Alabama lawmakers passed more than 40 laws related to education during their last legislative session.
Among those laws, is a law that allows law enforcement agencies to hire retired police over school resource officers to work at schools, reported WAFF.
One of the first police departments to take advantage of the new law is the Sheffield Police Department.
Sheffield Police Chief Rick Terry told WFAA that hiring retired police saves the agency money.
Additionally, the school district was sharing one SRO between three different schools. Now, the police department has hired two retirees from the Colbert County Sheriff’s Office, which is something they can afford.
“I enjoy serving the community. I’ve had a career of 33 years as an officer, as a deputy sheriff and Colbert County Sheriff’s Department. I enjoy getting to be around and protect people,” said Tim Howell, one of the retired officers.
Besides a new law hiring retired police officers, there was also one that allows Briarwood Presbyterian Church and its affiliated school, as well as a private academy in Madison County, to establish their own police forces, reported Al.com.
The officers will have to undergo state-certified training and they will be allowed to make arrets if crimes are committed on their properties.
About the Author
Sherelle Black is a Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.