Aden: School safety remains top priority for Okaloosa Sheriff's Office | Guestview

As we approach another school year I have reflected on the tragic events in Uvalde, Texas, and feel compelled to publicly reaffirm our commitment to the safety of our schools. That commitment takes place collaboratively with the School Board and Superintendent Marcus Chambers in a steadfast partnership.

When a deputy joins our agency, there’s an understanding he or she may be called to pay the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. I was in the first wave of Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office school resource officers in 1997 and knew what was expected of me in an event such as Sandy Hook, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, or Uvalde. The commitment to our children does not waver among our brave OCSO staff and those who proudly serve as SROs. After each tragic event since Columbine in 1999, our staff, specifically our school resource officers (SROs), have partnered with the superintendent, board members, and School District Office of Safe Schools to invest in the most advanced SRO training techniques and technologies available. We have analyzed the lessons learned, leading to more enhanced technology, tailored training, and focused, systematic approaches to protect our schools.

The Sandy Hook shooting prompted former Sheriff Larry Ashley to place an SRO in every public and charter school in Okaloosa County. He was one of the only sheriffs at that time with the vision to make school safety his top priority. Because of this, Gov. Rick Scott placed him on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Commission to help evaluate the failures in Parkland and find concrete ways to prevent similar events in the future.

The commission got tangible results; such as legislation and funding focused on mandatory safe school technology and school hardening including single-point entries, school fortifications, and fencing. The School District and OCSO were among the first to implement these mandates, as well as to offer multiple platforms of technology to streamline the process.

Another significant legislative change resulting from the commission was the establishment of a Guardian Program. Qualified and trained school employees can carry concealed firearms on campus, providing an enhanced security capability.

We have an integrated camera system at all schools, directly tied into the Sheriff’s Office 911 communications center. There is also a real-time notification system in place allowing teachers to text, email, call, or provide live video footage in a campus emergency. In response to the mandate, the Florida Sheriffs Association endorsed the Safer Watch mobile panic alert app. The Office of Safe Schools vetted the top four companies and ultimately decided on Safer Watch. It has been tested and proven to be an effective tool, although one we hope to never need to use.

We have the Sheriff’s App, FortifyFL, Emerald Coast Student Crimestoppers, Alertus, Child Safety Matters, Suite 360, Hope for Healing, and the Hope Squad. All offer different measures of security, reporting, or preemptive counseling. Our SROs are equipped with the Axon 3 body worn camera systems, considered the best on the market. They are also issued customized tactical rifles with countless hours of training.

Since 2012, our SRO Unit has received 10 statewide individual or agency awards, including selection as Florida’s top program twice in the past five years. Add to that three national individual and agency awards, to include being named a national “Model Agency” in 2015. The award recognizes our SRO program as a national role model, exemplifying the highest levels of student security, education, counseling, and mentorship.

We hosted active shooter training last week at Northwest Florida State College. In fact, other than our Special Response Team, no unit at the Sheriff’s Office receives more tactical training than our SROs. We also purchased the MILO, a state of the art, interactive, computer simulation training and assessment tool. It offers digital hands-on firearm, less lethal, and use of force exercises in a variety of realistic scenarios.

Last month while I was at the Florida Sheriffs conference, Capt. Lenny Holloway was attending the National School Safety Conference, learning the latest techniques to continue our culture of preparedness. We will be evaluating and discussing the Uvalde Commission’s findings next week.

I spoke to a parent recently who said the primary reason for her family’s relocation to Okaloosa County is the school system and its commitment to safety. I assured her we strive to always remain on the forefront and if our children are threatened, we will not waver and we will not wait.

We also have a call to action for our students and citizens. Please speak up and report any suspicious activity or threats. If you see or hear something, say something! The life you save could be your own. We must remain united in our efforts, our vigilance, and our commitment.

In closing, I want to thank our School District and local city and county leaders for their ongoing support for our mission. I want to especially thank our great citizens for your unwavering support. I am truly honored to serve as your sheriff.

Eric Aden is sheriff of Okaloosa County.