ROUND ROCK, Texas -- Leaders from the Round Rock Police Department, Williamson County Sheriff's Office and the school district intend to form a police department specifically for Round Rock's school district, according to a letter from the superintendent.
Committed to keeping students safe and campuses secure, Round Rock Independent School District along with the WilCo Sheriff's Office and RRPD have partnered to provide the level of coverage the children deserve, according to Superintendent Steve Flores.
Though there is already an arrangement in place, there are gaps in the coverage and un-staffed positions at some schools. Because of this, RRISD believes the next step is forming its own police department as many large school districts in Texas have done. This allows the district direct oversight over recruitment and staffing with a prime focus on school safety.
According to the superintendent, the district already pays salary costs during the school year for the police officers and sheriff’s deputies who staff the schools, though the shift will require investment for items such as equipment and vehicles.
In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed a law mandating officers serving in districts with at least 30,000 students to require specialized education and training to work in schools, Superintendent Flores said. The training covers topics such as de-escalation techniques, mental and behavioral health needs, mental health crisis intervention, child and adolescent development and psychology, positive behavioral supports, conflict resolution techniques and restorative justice.
