New Alabama Law Allows the Hiring of Retired Officers to Police Schools

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.

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.

Featured

  • Lessons from the Field: Securing Campuses and Other Open Environments

    Securing large, open areas like college campuses or healthcare facilities is no easy task, and campus security teams often find themselves under the microscope. Fortunately, advancements in security technology have put valuable new tools in the hands of security professionals, granting them greater visibility throughout their environments and providing more accurate information than ever. Advancements in video analytics, body-worn devices, and other security technology has changed how many campuses approach security—as well as how they work with law enforcement. Read Now

  • Why Performing a Back-to-School Campus Security Audit is Vital

    The ‘25-’26 academic year will challenge campus security teams as they grapple with a range of heightened risks, potentially with fewer resources than before. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces ANSI-Approved School Security Standard

    ASIS International, a leading authority in security standards, is excited to announce the release of its American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved standard designed to provide a framework for developing, implementing, maintaining, and improving school security. The first comprehensive standard of its kind provides a critical benchmark for assessing and improving a school’s security posture regardless of size and funding. Read Now

  • High School Football Game Security

    The high school football season is scheduled to commence across the country in the coming weeks. The players and coaches have worked extremely hard preparing for a successful season. Students, parents, and the community are ready to support their teams. Read Now