McDuffie County school resource officers are serious about “protecting the future.” The police department within the school system uses the phrase like a motto. Recently, officers demonstrated that through their training practices.
This summer, three officers traveled to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center near Brunswick, Georgia, for the 40-hour federal active shooter training. Now every officer in the department has completed the course that helps identify and eliminate threats in potentially dangerous situations.
“It was a great atmosphere, great training, some of the best training I hope I never have to use,” said SRO Cedric Climons. “I learned a lot from it. I see things now in a different way, when walking into a school building, when walking into a grocery store, when walking among a crowd.”
Trainers taught the SROs through both classroom lessons and simulated situations. Officers learned the strategic and tactical steps needed to eliminate an identified threat while keeping students and staff safe. For instance, officers practiced searching a room without having to enter it.
“Because everybody in the department is trained, we know what to expect,” Climons said. “Even though we’re all different, we all have different personalities, we all have the same training, so therefore we can always revert back to that training.”
According to Department of Public Safety Chief Jamie Bridges, an SRO’s responsibilities include developing the best safety procedures for potential threats in the school, conducting drills with students and staff, and de-escalating aggression between individuals.
Officers also assist school administration in maintaining a safe and secure environment, partially by providing a highly visible presence to deter or identify threats on campus. The importance of that responsibility is why Chief Bridges feels that having his entire department receive the top level of training available helps each officer to be better prepared for whatever situation may arise.
“We’ve taken a proactive approach when it comes to active threat training situations,” said McDuffie County Schools Director of Auxiliary Services Dr. Cecil Strong. “We also work closely with our emergency management system. We want to have those protocols in place where we can address many issues that occur, and we want to move forward as far as ensuring the safety of our young people and this community.”
In addition to the active threat course, McDuffie County SROs also receive a variety of other trainings. Those include firearms training, Community Policing and De-escalation, and the 408-hour course each candidate must master to become a certified peace officer in Georgia.
“At the end of the day we are police officers,” Climons said. “We’re here to protect and serve. The only difference is we’re protecting and serving the future.”