WCBC

February 25th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

Prior to a debate last week on whose responsibility it would be to create the position of chief of security- the Allegany County Board of Education received an overview of the current security operation and discussed plans to have a school resource officer for each school in the system. Board President Robert Farrell expressed frustration with the current guidelines in place- requiring extensive training over many months in order to meet the standards necessary to serve as an SRO. He says incidents of violence and bullying are on the rise in the schools- and there are a wealth of retired law enforcement and security officers in the county with decades of experience that could fill those roles…

  

Board member Tammy Fraley, said while everyone on the board would like to see an officer in each school, the standards were established for a reason, and it’s important for those providing protection for the students to be meet all of the requirements as outlined in the state program…

  

Sources familiar with discussions that have taken place on the proposal to create a position of security chief suggest that Farrell has lobbied for Jason Merritt to get the post. Merritt ran unsuccessfully for Allegany County Sheriff this past year- and- like Farrell, is a retired Maryland State Police officer.