NEWS BRIEF: Non-certified ‘peace officers’ allowed to carry guns at Cobb schools

Board members of the Cobb County School District voted 4-2 on Thursday to allow hired civilian “peace officers” without full certification to carry weapons on local campuses. The Georgia Peace Officer Standards Training Council is responsible for certifying all law enforcement officers in the state.

The move is not intended to arm teachers or other employees who are not directly involved with security, according to Superintendent Chris Ragsdale. “This policy will allow us to embark on that path to make sure that we are doing everything possible, while also keeping in mind that it is a very difficult time right now to be able to hire police officers,” he said during a work session. He added that those hired will be required to undergo the same training and evaluation undertaken by certified police officers, Axios reports.

Dissenting board member Jaha Howard said the district should not be hiring “gun-carrying professionals who are not technically police officers” and called on his colleagues to delay taking action until its next meeting in August. Details: axios.com