Nearly thirty law enforcement officers from across Kentucky, including right from Northern Kentucky agencies, graduated last week from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) School Resource Officer III Training.
It is the sixth class to finish 120 hours of state-mandated training over a three-year timeframe to be fully certified to work in Kentucky schools.
“Ensuring the safety and well-being of Kentucky’s schools is a top priority of my administration,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “I commend you on taking on this responsibility. Thank you for all you do for your agency, school systems and the commonwealth.”
DOCJT’s SRO training targets the specific needs of officers who are assigned to provide safety and security to the students and staff located inside a school, an announcement said.
The three levels of training are offered to active, certified law enforcement serving as school resource officers. SRO training includes topics such as working with special-needs students, mental health awareness and trauma-informed action. Firearms and tactics refresher training are also included.
“School resources officers are a vital part of law enforcement agencies in today’s world,” said DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek. “I am proud of the efforts you have made to help make our schools a safe place for children to learn.”
A new state law requires that each campus have an SRO by Aug. 1, if possible.
SRO III Class 6 graduates from NKY and their agencies are:
Michael S. Dehner, Boone County Sheriff’s Office
Phillip E. Dunford, Independence Police Department
Robert M. Ervin, Grant County Sheriff’s Office
Bradley J. Ezell, Boone County Sheriff’s Office
Robert Morgan, Grant County Sheriff’s Office
Charles Franklin Phillips, Taylor Mill Police Department
Christopher Saunders, Boone County Sheriff’s Office
Kevin M. Schwartz, Boone County Sheriff’s Office