City of Nashville and Nashville School District to hire second school resource officer

With the number of school shootings and related incidents of violence on the increase in the United States, the Nashville School District and the local police department are stepping up to make local students safer.  At Monday’s Nashville City Council meeting, Police Chief Amy Marion presented a proposal to hire a second school resource officer.  As with the current resource officer, the school district has agreed to pay 70 percent of the total annual cost.  That number amounts to nearly $40,300 dollars.  The city’s remaining 30 percent portion will result in an additional $15,768 dollars. 

Nashville School District Superintendent Doug Graham stated his desire earlier this month for the district to hire a second officer to help patrol the four campuses throughout the school day.  The two resource officers will also assist with after hour functions and events, such as sporting events.  During the summer months, they will work as patrol officers for the city.

Marion said the ideal situation would mean having the second officer working when the school year starts.  However, since that is just a few weeks away,  and the newly created position is unfilled, Marion said it may take a little while past the start of school before the second officer begins working.