Sheriff: Arming Teachers Not The Solution To School Security

CANTON, GA — The debate around ways to prevent tragic school shootings like the Feb. 14 massacre at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, continues to rage, as the student survivors and others push for lawmakers to come up with solutions that will keep youngsters safe while they are in the classroom. While some have called for more restrictions on military-style weapons, others are calling on school districts to arm the teachers who are tasked with making sure your little one receives a proper education.

However, for Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds, he does not believe this course of action should be taken by the Cherokee County School District.

"Well, personally, I don't think arming teachers is the solution to a more systemic problem in our society," he added.

His solution calls for arming well-trained peace officers to thwart potential threats of violence towards students, teachers, administrators and staff. The issue for Reynolds is not one of crisis, but one of logistics and accountability. Individuals such as peace officers and certain military personnel who handle firearms on a regular basis have a "high regard" for their presence.

The questions surrounding arming teachers would need to address accountability, qualifications and training educators so they are properly equipped to handle a firearm. For example, Reynolds questions who would track and maintain qualification records and if these standards would be regulated by the local school district or by the sheriff's office.

"For me, we’ve got to progress to a level where you have to have an armed school resource officer or (police) officer in every school," he added. He also said while he doesn't have a good feeling about the times we live in, but added he isn't sure if we need more gun laws to solve the problem of school-based violence.

The Cherokee County Schools Police Department has 16 officers who are assigned to each middle and high school "with collateral responsibilities to the elementary schools," the department added on its website. Along with its officers, the Schools Police Department has a close working relationship with the Cherokee Sheriff's Office and city police departments. These deputies and officers, Reynolds added, regularly train together on a variety of scenarios, including active shooters. Deputies not only respond without hesitation to any crisis situations at local schools, they are also encouraged to have lunch with their children (which provides some law enforcement presence), participate in teaching programs and help manage traffic control in front of schools during arrival and dismissal times.

"I think we've got a really good system in place," he added.

Reynolds also told Patch he's had residents present the idea of arming teachers to him as a viable solution. However, these residents, while they are well-meaning, aren't looking at this option through the prism Reynolds sees as part of the day-to-day activities a teacher has to do. These residents think of having a gun as ideal in a moment of chaos, but have not thought about how the weapon could become a liability when it's incorporated into an educator's day, the sheriff said.

"What happens when a student overpowers a teacher or a weapon is misplaced?" Reynolds asked.

The sheriff's office on Friday will meet with the Cherokee County School District's Ad Hoc Safety and Security Committee, which was created following the Sandy Hook tragedy to review security measures and procedures and district safety protocols. Sheriff Reynolds said one of the items up for discussion is manpower and how it can increase law enforcement presence without causing alarm or disrupting any given school's typical atmosphere.

In a letter dated Feb. 16, Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower said the Ad-Hoc Committee will begin hosting a series of meetings as early as this week to address emerging safety initiatives and determine the operational and fiscal impact of the district's safety and security practices. The Committee is also asked to provide him with recommendations before he presents the annual budget to the Cherokee County School Board.

"As you know, three educators lost their lives protecting the children of Stoneman Douglas High School," Hightower said. "Our School District’s team – from the teachers in the classroom to the leaders on our School Board – cares about your children as if they were their own. That care is what makes Parkland so heart-breaking for us and why I’ve called upon this Committee to take action."

The question of arming educators follows reports that a former Broward County Sheriff's deputy stood outside while accused gunman Nikolas Cruz shot students and teachers at the Parkland, Florida, high school. The deputy, who abruptly retired last week from his post, defended his actions through his attorney. Teachers also returned to Douglas High School classrooms Monday to embark on two professional work days before students return on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump has also weighed in on the former deputy's actions, adding that he would have stormed the high school to stop Cruz from gunning down 17 people. Last week, Trump also said "highly trained teachers" could aid in stopping school shooters and obtain bonuses for volunteering for this additional responsibility.

Tell us: what do you think of Sheriff Frank Reynolds' comments?

Photo: Frank Reynolds. Credit: Cherokee Sheriff's Office