Once parents in Clay County heard the school district was going to create its own police department before next school year, some parents were worried the school district was moving too fast in putting together the new force. Now school leaders are beginning to hold Listen and Learn sessions with parents to try and answer any questions they might have.
The first of six meetings was Thursday night in Fleming Island, where the district laid out some of the details for how to keep their schools safe. This week WOKV told you when the district got the green light from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI to move forward with the department.
Police chief Kenneth Wagner says they are looking to hire 46 officers by June to get ready for next school year.
“It’s going to be rigorous training, you know uh, active assailant training, mental health, uh, response to resistance, use of force training.” Wagner says.
The district says some of the qualifications required for the new officers include a minimum of two years’ experience in law enforcement as a sworn officer at the local, state or federal level and they must have and maintain a Florida Law Enforcement Certification.
There are five more Listen and Learn sessions left with the next one scheduled for this Monday at Oakleaf High School starting at 6 P.M.
