Armed Retired Cops Could Be Hired In Office Jobs At D15 Schools

PALATINE, IL — Armed retired police officers could be hired in support roles as an added security measure on campuses throughout Community Consolidated School District 15. The proposal, which was discussed at Wednesday night's school board meeting, is considered to be preventative step and not the response to a specific threat.

Supt. Scott Thompson introduced the option as a way to bolster building security at the different schools. During Wednesday's meeting, the school board backed the proposal, which would still need approval from the union representing support staff.

"As I evaluated all of the ways we could spend dollars to make our schools safer, bringing in trained, retired police officers made a lot of sense," Thompson said.

Under Thompson's plan, retired police officers could be hired in front office positions at the district's elementary schools, answering phones, collecting lunch and performing other duties. Federal law allows retired officers to carry guns on school grounds, and they would fill vacant clerical or secretarial spots.

Retired officers only would be considered for positions at the district's 15 elementary schools in Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Hoffman Estates. Officers from Palatine and Rolling Meadows are assigned to the district's four junior high schools — Carl Sandburg and Plum Grove in Rolling Meadows, and Walter R. Sundling and Winston Campus in Palatine.

District 15 enrolls around 12,800 students and is the third-largest, elementary-only school system in the state. Along with Palatine, Hoffman Estates and Rolling Meadows, the district also covers Arlington Heights, Inverness, Schaumburg and South Barrington.

Thompson said that police chiefs from around the area support the proposal, adding that the individuals who would be considered already had law enforcement training. Officials also were clear during Wednesdays' meeting that the retired police officer plan was not related to any proposal that would involve arming teachers.

"We want to do everything possible to keep our kids and our staff safe," Thompson said.

Board President Lisa Szczupaj clarified that the district was "being proactive, essentially, to elevate the security." Officials weren't reacting to "an issue or a situation," she added.

The proposals did have its detractors, as well.

"[G]uns do not belong in our elementary schools. … The chance for accidental discharge of a firearm in a school, in my opinion, is far too high a risk and outweighs any benefits of having that gun in the building," said Anita Jamnik, one of two District 15 employees who objected during public comments portion of Wednesday's meeting.

YOUR TURN: Should armed retired police officers be hired in support roles as an added security measure on campuses throughout Community Consolidated School District 15? She via are your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.

Photo via Community Consolidated School District 15