A Tennessee lawmaker has proposed a plan for the 2025 session to address the lack of School Resource Officers by allowing veterans and retired police officers to be hired.
Republican Rep. Tim Rudd brought back the bill for the 2025 congressional session. The House approved it in the last parliamentary session, but it did not pass in the Senate.
The bill would let public charter schools hire soldiers who were honorably discharged and retired police officers to work as School Resource Officers.
Applicants need to finish 40 hours of basic training on school policy. They must pass a test to be allowed to buy and own a handgun. They also need written permission to carry or have a firearm on school property, pass a psychiatric evaluation, and clear an FBI background check.
“They still need to complete their training.” Rudd told WTVC that the goal is to find more resource officers in rural places to help keep our children safe.
“This won’t completely fix the shortage problem, but it will help,” he said. “Ultimately, it will be up to the school system to decide if they want to use them and what rules they will set.”
Rudd says the plan would benefit veterans and retired police officers, but the top goal is keeping children safe.
A man who served in the Navy for over 20 years said this plan could help veterans find new purposes in life and inspire kids.
Mickey McCamish told WTVC that they have all the skills needed to work as a security officer in a school.
Moving from military life to civilian life can be tough for some people, but McCamish believes these individuals can be great role models for kids.
“Having veterans as role models for students, whether as resource officers or active members of the school, is a perfect choice,” he said.
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