WHAT THEY ARE SAYING… Law Enforcement and School Safety Leaders Applaud Sen. Rick Scott’s School Guardian Act

April 28, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Senator Rick Scott introduced his School Guardian Act to create a block grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Justice supporting the hiring of one or more law enforcement officers to provide full-time security at every K-12 school in the country, including all public, private and religious schools. This bill builds on Senator Scott’s efforts as Governor of Florida to improve school safety with increased law enforcement and security measures following the horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018.

 

Senator Scott’s proposal has been endorsed by Stand With Parkland, the Florida Sheriffs Association, the Florida Police Chiefs Association, the National Association of School Resource Officers, and the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association.

 

Tony Montalto, President of Stand With Parkland – The National Association of Families for Safe Schools, said, “On behalf of Stand with Parkland, we are proud to endorse Senator Rick Scott’s School Guardian Act to help put trained law enforcement officers in every school. After the tragic shooting at Parkland, we worked closely with then-Governor Scott to make effective changes like this to keep Florida’s schools safe, and we’ve continued this fight to bring change across the nation. No family should have to go through the indescribable heartbreak of having their child or spouse murdered at school. It is essential that parents feel comfortable sending kids to school every day. Knowing their children are protected from danger with a specially selected and highly trained officer standing guard as this bill provides will help do that for all America’s families.”

 

Florida Sheriffs Association President and Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis said, "The sheriffs greatly appreciate the consistent leadership that Senator Rick Scott brings to D.C. During his time as Florida's Governor, Senator Scott brought statewide law enforcement leaders together to develop historic school safety policy in record time after the tragic Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting that rocked our nation. Senator Scott was innovative at that time to create legislation that was foundational for Florida, and he continues to do so. Florida's sheriffs are proud that he is bringing strong school safety legislation to the entire nation with the School Guardian Act."

 

Florida Police Chiefs President and Fellsmere Chief Keith Touchberry said, “The Florida Police Chiefs Association is proud to stand with Senator Rick Scott in support of his School Guardian Act. Every student deserves to focus on their education without fear, and placing well-trained law enforcement officers in schools fosters a safer learning environment. As Governor, Senator Scott led the effort after the Parkland tragedy to visibly strengthen law enforcement's presence in Florida’s schools, and now his leadership on this issue at the Federal level promises to make our country safer."

 

National Association of School Resource Officers Executive Director Mo Canady said, “The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) enthusiastically supports Senator Rick Scott’s School Guardian Act with the hope that all schools will have access to funding in order to put carefully selected, specifically trained, and properly equipped school resource officers in place. For 32 years, we at NASRO have pioneered the best practices for school resource officer programs nationwide along with different parts of the world and stand with Senator Scott in the fact that school resource officer programs, when done correctly, have a profound impact and make schools a safer place to be. All students deserve to receive an education in a safe environment.”

 

Indiana Sheriffs’ Association President Sheriff Randy Retter said, “The ISA is proud to support Senator Rick Scott’s School Guardian Act. School Safety is a priority to the Indiana Sheriffs and to our Indiana Sheriffs’ Association. Every student in America deserves to feel safe every day while in the classroom. The School Guardian Act will allow Law Enforcement and Educators to continue to build stronger relationships which ‘Builds Communities of Trust.’ Our families deserve this so their children can thrive while in school and know they are protected at all times. The ISA THANKS Senator Rick Scott for The School Guardian Act in keeping our schools safer.”

 

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