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Florida sheriff pushes for 'game changer' program to arm teachers

By Matt Naham, Rare.us
By Matt Naham, Rare.us

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Sheriff Grady Judd in Polk County, Florida, went on the news Saturday to talk about the so-called "Sentinel Program" as a possible legislative response to mass shootings like the one that happened at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, last week, that left 17 dead.

Judd called the program a “game changer” by arming select educators whose backgrounds have been vetted thoroughly, who have been psychologically evaluated and trained in weapons more intensely than law enforcement by state standards.

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The sheriff argued that the solution is not something he wants, but it’s something that must happen.

“We have got to wake up, wake up and understand that we have to have … specially trained people that have concealed firearms that can run to the threat and protect our children,” he said.

Active assailant threats on a school campus'

Sheriff Grady Judd was interviewed by several local media outlets today about active assailant threats on a school campus. Here are some excerpts from that interview. Sheriff Judd provided information about the Sheriff’s Sentinel Program already established at Southeastern University since 2017. The Sentinel program creates special deputies who are selected by the University and screened by PCSO staff, including criminal background checks, drug testing, and a psychological evaluation. The Sentinels are appointed by the Sheriff as volunteer “Special Deputies” for the limited purpose of providing security on Southeastern University’s campus during an active assailant incident. Special Deputy Sheriffs in the Sentinel Program are required to successfully complete training with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Training Section prior to his or her appointment, which will consist of 132 hours of comprehensive active assailant, firearm safety, and proficiency training. They are authorized to carry concealed, approved firearms on campus. The firearms are specifically purchased and issued for the sole purpose of the Sentinel Program. Sheriff Judd is calling on the Florida legislature to act during this session to: 1) authorize a state wide active assailant training and awareness model for teachers, staff, and students; 2) reform Florida's Baker Act so that it will allow law enforcement officials to take action to prevent acts of violence when they are confronted with a person who is expressing intent to carry out violence against others, 3) and authorize a voluntary Sentinel-type Program for Florida schools. #schoolsafety #SafeSchools #polksheriff

Posted by Polk County Sheriff's Office on Saturday, February 17, 2018

“Do you know that there is gun control on every campus in Florida -- and, I would submit, across the United States -- that you can’t bring a gun on campus. And no one does, except the crazed person, the active shooter. There has to be a line of defense,” Judd said.

“There’s no absolutes in life, but I can tell you this: At least two coaches were killed standing in front of and trying to protect kids. Don’t you believe it would be a game-changer if they had a gun to defend the children?”

Students and parents have responded to the mass shooting perpetrated by Nikolas Cruz by calling for stricter guns laws in Florida.

Many participating in the #NeverAgain campaign seem to agree that they don’t want to arm teachers, but want “genuine, lasting change.”

Cox Media Group

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