Miami

Miami-Dade Police Explore Placing Former Officers in Schools to Comply With State Law

What to Know

  • The department posted a message on social media to gauge the interest of those who once worked for MDPD.
  • The hiring push comes after the city of Miami Beach voted to become the first in the county to put officers in every school next year.

In an effort to comply with a new state law requiring an armed officer in each school, Miami-Dade Police are reaching out to their former officers to see who wants to get back in uniform and patrol elementary or middle schools in the county.

The department posted a message on social media to gauge the interest of those who once worked for MDPD – part of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act signed into law in March by Governor Rick Scott in the wake of the February 14th shooting inside the Parkland school.

Officers retired between six months and four years would need to complete a 40 hour course, while those retired longer would have to complete different levels of training to comply with state law.

The hiring push comes after the city of Miami Beach voted to become the first in the county to put officers in every school starting with the 2018-19 year. MDCPS Superintendent Alberto Carvalho stated after that vote that all schools would eventually have an armed officer throughout the county.

Another part of the bill signed by Scott allows for individual counties to take part in a program to allow personnel on campus to carry weapons after 132 hours of training.

The Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program is named after the longtime football coach and MSD graduate, who was among the 17 people killed during the tragedy and has been hailed as a hero for saving the lives of students when suspected shooter Nikolas Cruz opened fire.

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