Florida Sheriffs Association: Must Make Funding School Resource Officers Top Priority
By Space Coast Daily // March 21, 2018
"We are in the business of saving lives..."
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – The Florida Sheriffs Association sent a letter Tuesday to Gov. Rick Scott, House Speaker Richard Corcoran (R-Land O’Lakes) and Senate President Joe Negron, (R-Stuart) requesting more funding for school resource officers.
In the aftermath of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting last month, the debate amongst Florida elected officials has increased in recent weeks.
Below is the letter the Florida Sheriffs Association sent in its entirety:
“Since last month’s tragic event at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, sheriffs have been part of the statewide effort to bring forward solutions to keep our students safe. The welfare of our youth has always been a top priority for the sheriffs in Florida. We strongly believe both the House and Senate must pass comprehensive legislation this year to address a wide variety of school safety issues.
“Sheriffs fully support having all schools assigned a sworn sheriff’s deputy or police officer present on our school campuses. To achieve this end, sheriffs strongly believe the top priority must be additional state funding to ensure schools have a certified law enforcement officer ready to serve as a school resource officer (SRO). SRO programs emphasize the importance of collaboration between school officials and local law enforcement by promoting a community-based approach to school violence. Increasing the number of SROs on school campuses will greatly enhance school safety and protect students, teachers, and administrators.
“We are in the business of saving lives, and none are more precious than the lives of our children. We believe state funding for SROs is the best way to prevent another tragedy from occurring in our schools. The Florida Legislature must make funding school resource officers their top priority.”
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