News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Putting retired law enforcement officers in schools could be one option to improve safety of the nation’s students.
It’s an idea that Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris shared with Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn. Blackburn shared it with President Trump during a meeting last week.
Farris calls it “The Protect Me” program.
“The rules of engagement are the same that they’ve been used to in their careers,” Farris said. “It would take them very little to get up to speed as far as the training and that kind of thing.”
Farris said the retired law enforcement officer could assist the school resource officer, maybe beginning part time. The retired officers could serve in a volunteer role.
During his conversation with Blackburn, Farris also shared the need to change a current law that prohibits retired law enforcement from carrying firearms on school grounds.
HR-218, passed during the George Bush administration, allowed any law enforcement officer who retired in good standing to carry a firearm anywhere in the United States. The law includes a few exceptions, notably schools.
“You’ve got a lot of grandfathers and grandmothers out there that are former law enforcement that visit schools that are well trained and well knowledgeable about the rules of engagement if something bad should happen,” Farris said.
Farris said he talked to Blackburn about potentially working on the rule to take advantage of the protection visitors for school pickup, performances or athletic events might offer.
With the current focus on school safety, Farris said a dialogue on options and solutions needs to continue.
“We all need to be working together to try and achieve the safety of our kids,” Farris said.
As for the national spotlight, Farris said Blackburn had contacted him about a committee on which she had been chosen to serve. The representative asked Farris if she could share his ideas. Farris’ phone started blowing up after the Blackburn-Trump comments went public.
