— In California, the United States District Court upheld the detention and seizure of a teacher after the teacher admitted he had the gun in his classroom. The court stated that the California Gun-Free School Zone Act makes it a crime to carry a firearm in a school zone. The exemption for possession of a gun by a “peace officer,” does not include reservists. Therefore, despite the fact that the teacher worked part-time as a reserve police officer in a nearby city, the detention and seizure were justified. Joseph Nguyen v. County. of San Bernardino.
— In Virginia, the Richmond Public School Board voted to keep its school resource officer program. The Board will revise its policies to provide additional training on when officers should get involved in school discipline incidents and when an arrest is appropriate. The Board also voted to change the appearance of the officers by modifying the police uniform.
— In Iowa, the Cedar Rapids schools have modified their school resource officer program. Pertinent portions of the revised program include: (1) the removal of officers in elementary and middle schools. These officers will be an “on-call” resource and will be used to provide instruction on “run, hide and fight” — training in the event of an active shooter on campus — and lessons on civic engagement, according to the amended agreement; (2) the daily presence of police at the high schools and the alternative school; (3) a change of attire to “soft” uniforms to appear more approachable; (4) new constraints on interrogating students except when parents or guardians are present.
— In Minnesota, the Saint Paul School Board, which previously voted to end its contract with the police to provide safety on its campuses, are now working to bring back the officers for school sponsored football and basketball games.