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Perspectives in education
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by Andre Riley |
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Safety a top priority for KC public schools
All year, 90 officers keep watch over the Kansas City School District’s students and property. A new training program initiated this year will allow those officers to do their jobs better.
Initiated by the District’s Safety and Security Department, the training program focuses on core skills such as conflict resolution, customer service, firearms usage and CPR rescue — with an emphasis on in-house certification. This school year, the department will take part in 10 programs designed to measure and sharpen its expertise.
The best way to guard the safety of the district’s students, staff, faculty and property is with a professional, certified security force, according to Nathaniel Lacy, Safety Department communications and training manager.
“We’re trying to make our department one of the best in the nation, if not one of the most professional,” Lacy said. “To be at a high level, you need training.”
The activity of the revamped instructional program, a significant departure from the “sporadic” training of the past has been rapid, Lacy said. Since September, the department averages at least one training event a month.
In August, security officers participated in a night weapons firing qualification session similar to those required by police departments. One day- and night-qualification session is required per year.
In September, the department’s alarm engineers – the group responsible for managing the district’s fire and burglary protection -– received their annual training. The lessons learned will help as engineers reach the National Institute for Certification of Engineering Technologies’ level 3 ranking — the highest certification level in their field.
The Safety Department had two additional training sessions in October. The first was crisis intervention training, instruction that will help officers better handle disruptive situations through measured body language and techniques. That training was followed on Oct. 25 by a night and day firearms qualification similar to those required by other police agencies.
November brought freshened instruction in the use of metal detectors at schools and a refresher on district polices. In December, the officers worked on judgmental shooting, skills that will help the department recognize the proper moments to use firearms and less lethal weapons such a pepper spray. At the other end of the spectrum, the department’s dispatchers — a group that works around the clock daily — underwent customer service training to improve their skills.
In 2008, officers will undergo training that not only will improve their expertise, it will also provide a lasting benefit to taxpayers.
This week in Columbia three assistant managers from the safety department underwent training for pepper spray use to earn instructors’ certification. Those managers will then teach other officers, preventing the need to spend district money to bring in an out-of-area consultant.
A similar situation will occur in May, when two officers will attend Smith and Wesson’s handcuff training, receive certifications then train their brethren the following months.
Add planned training events for CPR rescue in February and first-time supervisors and lead officers training in March, and the department will be on the cutting edge of techniques needed to best serve students and the community, said Maj. Marcus Harris, director of the Safety and Security Department. To implement the training overhaul, the department reduced line items in its budget for vehicles and other planned purchases while staffing levels were not impacted by the budget shuffling.
Harris said the sacrifices were worth it.
“I want to be able to show people our officers are qualified to do many things,” Harris said. “I want to show them we’re qualified to protect their babies.”
Safety is a priority in Northeast High School.
The Kansas City, Missouri School District Safety and Security Department is working to quiet any doubts about safety at Northeast High School and other neighboring schools. According to figures compiled by the department, the effort is paying off.
In December, the safety department recorded just two calls for service at Northeast High School. By comparison, the average calls for service among the District’s high schools were less than five for the month.
“Northeast is no more at risk than any other school,” Maj. Marcus Harris, director of the Safety and Security Department, said.
Northeast is served by a mix of Kansas City and District police officers. Two KC police school resource officers are assigned to the school, with four District officers performing their normal security duties. Harris said the District officers are reflective of the ethnic make-up of the school – including Asian, Hispanic, African-American and white officers.
Andre Riley is a spokesman for the Kansas City School District. Education perspectives takes a look at the district's new education trends and programs. To contact the district call 816-418-7000 or e-mail PublicInfo@kcmsd.net.
2008 Archives:
January Safety a top priority for KC public schools
2007 Archives:
December Lincoln Prep top in the nation in 2008
November Parents
Have Power
October Early
Reading First
September National
Attention on Reform Initiative
July Neighborhood
Schools for Everyone
June Year-End
Wrap-Up from Head of Schools
May Summer School Starts June 18 , Summer School Is for Everyone & Parent
Power Prepares You for College
April Wake Up: It's Time to Take a MAP & Lincoln
Goes to Robotics Finals
February See
the Stars at Southwest High School
January Parent/Teacher
Conferences Coming Up & College
Degrees for District Parents
