Kentucky School Resource Officers Would Be Required To Carry Firearm Under Proposed Legislation

The updates to a 2019 school safety bill would also require officers to be at every school campus where there are one or more buildings rather than every school.

  • By Haley Samsel
  • January 17, 2020

Legislation introduced in the Kentucky state senate would require all school resource officers across the state to carry a gun.

Sen. Max Wise, a Republican, introduced the bill on Monday, focusing on his concern that the state’s largest school district in Jefferson County does not arm school resource officers, according to The Lexington Herald-Leader.

He noted that a majority of districts already employ armed officers but that the legislation would require the remaining districts to comply with the trend.

Essentially, Senate Bill 8 would change the state’s definition of a SRO to be an officer who works with students at school sites and is armed with a firearm. In addition, the bill would require one or more resource officers in every school campus where there are one or more buildings instead of in every school.

The governor signed a school safety bill into law last year and since then has not been able to find the funding within Kentucky’s tight budget to fund it. Wise’s new additions to the bill would also shift responsibility for active shooter training at schools from the state’s education department to the criminal justice department, according to the Herald-Leader.

Education groups in Kentucky have estimated that districts will need $18 million to make necessary facility upgrades and at least $121 million per year to hire more mental health counselors and SROs.

Other states have also made arming school resource officers a key aspect of their legislative efforts to make schools safer. In Florida, charter schools have especially faced criticism for failing to meet legislative deadlines requiring administrators to hire armed SROs for their campuses.

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Black Hills State University Takes an Open, Scalable Approach to Video Security

    Black Hills State University recognized the need for a centralized video system to improve campus security and streamline operations. The university sought a solution that could unify its main campus with a satellite location, enable cross-department access, and scale with future growth. By implementing open platform video technology, BHSU laid the foundation for a comprehensive, flexible, and scalable security infrastructure. Read Now

  • Pennsylvania School Uses Locked, Rolling Security Grille to Control Spectators, Secure Building

    St. Jude School in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, is a private Catholic elementary school that serves students from Pre-K through grade 8. Recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, St. Jude offers diverse educational programs designed to foster a nurturing and challenging learning environment, and extracurricular activities like sports are an integral part of promoting teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness. Read Now

  • Fire-Rated Glazing Assemblies Modernize Academic and Social Hub

    In spring 2023, the University of Pittsburgh opened the doors to a seven-story west wing addition to Alan Magee Scaife Hall. The medical school building features several updated lecture halls, labs and classrooms. It also includes team-based learning and small group rooms as well as an entire floor dedicated to medical students. This floor is meant for students to congregate, study and build community. Read Now

  • Access Control Trends Continue to Strengthen School Safety Security

    Class period bells have been ringing across campuses for a few months now, but that doesn’t mean the subject of safety was fully settled before the start of the new school year. As one wise person once said, “It’s a journey, not a destination”. That’s why it remains a leading issue among administrators, faculty, students, and communities. Schools are striving to be at the top of their class when it comes to the ability to control access instantly and securely, monitor suspicious behavior accurately and consistently, and respond to threats immediately and effectively. Ultimately, they aim to provide a reassuring, comfortable, and conducive environment for a rich learning experience. These goals apply whether at a community college in Southern California, a major university in Pennsylvania, or a rural K-12 district in Michigan. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars