Police officers are getting ready for their new roles as School Resource Officers (SROs).
The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office says there will be an SRO in every public school of the parish of Lafayette.
The Lafayette Parish School System has budgeted $4 million dollars to the Sheriff’s Office for enhanced security this school year.
“So, the culmination of us working together is what you see here today. A multi-jurisdictional force that we’re very proud of. And, we think is ultimately going to be the most effective and maybe even a model nationwide for how agencies can work together,” said Lafayette Parish Sheriff Mark Garber.
The Sheriff’s Office Confirmed there will be SRO’s at several private schools as well as South Louisiana Community College for a total of 45 campuses.
“The jurisdictions involved in the multi-jurisdictional force include Broussard, Carencro, Lafayette City Police, Scott Police, and Youngsville Police Department, as well as the Sheriff’s Office,” said Garber.
A S.W.A.T. Team will be available to respond to an active shooter and a new Intelligence Unit will monitor schools to prevent an active shooting.
The force will also be using the latest software to track social media activity in order to pinpoint anyone suspected of plotting a shooting.
“We know from the history of active shooters in the United States and abroad for that matter, that they do exhibit pre-attack indicators. The recent FBI white paper on the subject shows that the active shooters exhibited three to four common indicators, those indicators are known to intelligence personnel,” explained Garber.
Teachers have received active shooter training, and a smartphone application and monthly newsletter will be sent out to keep parents in the loop of any security updates.
