Dierks School District considering auxiliary officers on campus

Like every school district in the state, the Dierks School Board is looking at ways to ensure the safety of students and faculty.

Monday evening, Dierks Chief of Police John McKee made a presentation to the board concerning school safety that included training school staff to be auxiliary officers. McKee said he wanted to enter a partnership with the district to provide training to specific campus employees. He said 95 percent of all mass shootings since 1985 have been on school campuses and the more highly trained personal a district has the better.

McKee said the training included 80 hours of online training, 40 hours of practical application and time on the range. He said once they are certified, they would need 24 hours of training each year to maintain their certification.

McKee said he would provide the district with the program that is being utilized by the De Queen School District, including the personal policies and procedures.

McKee said it was his motto to prepare for the worst and pray for the best.