Memphis City Schools Consider In-House Police
Having police officers designated to school campuses is nothing new. In fact, there are already existing situations wherein schools have their “own” police officers. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing is not certain. The answer would definitely depend on the point of view of the person you are talking to.
In Memphis, however, they are only beginning to consider the idea of having an in-house police force for their schools. In a feature article by Michael Kelley, published on Commercial Appeal, the considerations are presented.
Is an in-house police force a good idea for Memphis City Schools?
Supt. Kriner Cash has made it clear from the start of his tenure a few short weeks ago that it’s one of his high priorities. He has brought former Miami-Dade Public Schools security chief Gerald Darling on board to help put a corps of commissioned officers together at MCS.
A school district police force would replace the current hybrid system, which has a modest number of Memphis Police Department officers assigned to schoolhouse duty — the so-called school resource officers — alongside what will be 147 armed and police academy-trained school security officers when 68 new recruits finish their training in a few weeks.
A lengthy report by the state Department of Education, completed at the request of Memphis City Schools last fall, concluded that local governmental entities may establish specialized school police forces by amending their charters or by a private act of the legislature.
Whether an MCS police force would enhance safety at Memphis City Schools is not as certain.
That last line is what caught my interest the most – and made me think at the same time. There is no doubt that having security officers around make for a safer feeling. Think about it, when you are out in the highway and you see cops, you have this feeling that at least there is some help around if you need it. The same thing applies when you are out in an isolated parking lot at night. There simply is this sense of safety associated with law enforcement – at least for many people. Then again, does this sense of safety translate into REAL and TANGIBLE safety?
Another angle that we could look at is the reported “abuse” by police officers in schools. Alright, abuse may be too strong a word but how about the overuse of force? How about unruly children being treated like common criminals?
The question remains for Memphis City Schools – and us as well – does having police officers in schools really make it safer for everyone involved?
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Posted on September 22nd, 2008 by Deborah J Thomas
Filed under: Administrators, High School, K-6, News, Parents, People Involved, School Grade Level, School Safety Issues, Security
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