by Bernie James • • Comments Off on Safety Law News for July 2, 2018
In Florida, school resource officers from Lake and Sumter counties are receiving training from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and LifeStream Behavioral Center on how to deal with people with a variety of mental health issues. The training is based on a model established in Memphis, Tenn., in 1983 that came about when law enforcement officers and mental health providers started working closely together following the shooting of a mentally ill person.
In Georgia, Senate Bill 149 has been enacted. Under the law, every officer must receive 40 hours of training on the subjects of search and seizure in elementary and secondary schools, criminal offenses, gang awareness, drug awareness, interviews and interrogations.
In New Jersey, the scramble is on to find eligible officers to serve as school resource officers. Beginning in July, state requirements for special officers have tightened up. Officials are concerned about a potential shortage of candidates equipped to serve as school officers. Candidates must pass background, medical and psychological tests.
In Illinois, officials in Danville have completed three intergovernmental agreements between the city and the school district. Under the MOU, the school resource officers will have access to school security video feed, better communication by radio, and mandated reciprocal reporting of criminal offenses by students.