Two local schools could lose their resource officers because of budget cuts.
Bedford City is considering taking the officers out of Bedford Elementary and Bedford Middle schools and putting them back on patrol.
The police chief says he's lost three officers through attrition over the last three years and has not been able to replace them. The city manager recommended to city council the staffing level be 24 officers. There are currently 25 officers. If the department loses another, the position will likely not be filled.
The city manager tells us city council has asked for other options that do not include eliminating the resource officer program. City council will review all options next week.
The Bedford County Sheriff's Office provides resource officers for three high schools and two other middle schools. The city had hoped the county could put officers in the two other schools, but the county tells us it doesn't have the additional manpower either.
If the resource officer is removed from the elementary school, the 6th grade gang resistance program will also be cut.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement