Officials Seem Poised to Give Green Light
NBC5.com (DALLAS) -- The Dallas Independent School District is considering a new security plan that would create its own police department.
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DISD Eyes Own Police Force According to officials, the new proposal would allow them to nearly double the number of schools protected by licensed police.
The goal would be to upgrade its current 31-member unarmed security force to a full-fledged police department
“This proposal would be growing our own police officers, so to speak, to be police school officers who will be very well oriented to the work done in schools, juvenile law,” Mary Roberts, DISD deputy superintendent, said.
School board members seem poised to approve the proposal that community activists have been pushing for.
“It should be a well-trained police force, one with high standards, and totally committed to the safety of our children,” community leader Adelfa Callejo said.
DISD currently pays $1 million annually for Dallas officers, but upgarding to its own force would cost an additional $1.5 million as it’s phased in during the next five years.
However, in light of recent school shootings around the country and a number of guns seized from students, supporters of the plan say it would be money well spent.
If approved, Dallas would join other large school districts like Houston in having an independent police force.