Mississippi schools will soon receive funds to place trained law enforcement officers on campuses with the start of the Mississippi Community Oriented Policing program, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said today.
The Board of Education approved today allocating $1.57 million to place 157 trained officers in public schools in 50 districts around the state. To view districts that received grants, visit http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/docs/2013-board-agenda/tab-04-october-2013.pdf?sfvrsn=2.
“I’m proud we can place 157 additional trained officers in Mississippi schools to protect the precious lives of children,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “MCOPS is an example of a state and local community partnership that can provide a service citizens want, and I look forward to seeing even more schools take advantage of the program in the future.”
The program, proposed by Lt. Gov. Reeves, provides up to $10,000 to pay for a certified law enforcement officer at a public school. The local community will fund the remaining costs.
Reeves proposed MCOPS in response to the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., which left 20 children and six adults dead.
Law enforcement officers will be required to train in the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training program, which is used by law enforcement nationwide to train officers on responding to shooting incidents.
LG Tate Reeves Press Release
10/18/13
Magnolia Tribune
