Safety Law News for April 11, 2019

• In New York, the City of Poughkeepsie plans to create a community policing unit and implement a school resource officer program in the schools.  The police chief believes that the addition of a school resource officer and a community policing unit will help build better connections in the community.

• In Florida, parents of students killed and injured in the 2018 shooting at the Broward County Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have filed more than 20 lawsuits, alleging negligence by the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the School Board.

• In Montana, the legislature endorsed a new policy to allow rural schools to independently hire an armed school marshal and set training standards.  Law enforcement officers around the state do not believe the school marshals will be able to react adequately to a school crisis.  The Governor has not said whether he will sign the bill.

• In Oklahoma, the Senate has passed a proposal that allows school districts to authorize personnel to carry a handgun on school propertyHouse Bill 2336, approved by the house in March 2019, now goes to the Governor.  Under the provisions of the legislation, school employees would be required to obtain a valid armed security guard license or hold a valid reserve peace officer certification.