The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 24, Number 4 | Page 21

The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | April 2018
Improving School Security: The SLEO III Option
By Chief Brian Klimakowski (Ret.), Ocean County Undersheriff
With another school year winding down and the tremendous backlash since Parkland, we are once again searching
for the solution to these senseless acts of violence in our schools. While research clearly indicates that our schools
are safe, these horrific and targeted acts of violence cause widespread fear which demands our undivided attention.
As Parkland begins to move away from the spotlight, and the distant thoughts of Columbine and Sandy Hook begin
to fade, we must not overlook our duties to protect our most valuable resources, our children and young adults, as
we continue to examine ways to stem the flow of violence in our schools.
Following each and every school shooting, we see and hear about the various products and technologies which are
touted as the answer to our school safety and security needs. While many of these items may play a role in the
planning, mitigation and response to these incidents, I don’t know of any one product that will bring these shootings
to an end. For example, following Columbine, many school districts funded and viewed cameras as the answer to
their school security needs. Many districts spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on these technologies and
received a product that only tends to assist law enforcement in piecing together these tragic events.
So while many school districts look for answers, I would encourage my law enforcement colleagues to take the time
to review the Special Law Enforcement Officer (SLEO) III program. Here in New Jersey, and as a result of the hard
work of some of our Chiefs, the State Association solicited our legislators to create a new classification of police
officer. The new classification was created to produce a cost effective, and viable solution for incorporating sworn
law enforcement officers into our schools.
Shortly after the tragic events in Columbine, many law enforcement agencies and school districts began
incorporating law enforcement officers and private security in their schools. Unfortunately, both scenarios have their
pros and cons. Firstly, the districts that chose to incorporate sworn officers into their school found a great solution,
but suddenly found it challenging to sustain the costs associated with these officers. Secondly, the districts that
chose a retired officer acting independently or a civilian security firm, discovered a cost effective solution, but quickly
found that these individuals operate outside the purview of the local law enforcement executive, and are limited in
their scope of operations.
For example, a retired law enforcement officer or civilian security guard is not vested with any special privileges or
immunities which are bestowed upon active law enforcement officers. Essentially, the retired officer is no different
than the average citizen, and is not required by law to take action to protect others unless there is a legal duty.
More importantly, if the retired law enforcement officer makes an illegal arrest or uses excessive force, they can be
subject to criminal charges and/or civil litigation.
Following several revisions to the proposed legislation, Governor Christie signed the SLEO III Bill on November 30,
2016. This new law established the position of “Class III” special law enforcement officer, specifically designed to
provide security in both public and non-public schools, and community colleges. By design, this legislation allows
local Chiefs to employ a retired and fully trained law enforcement officer specifically to address the school security
concerns of their districts, while fulfilling their community-oriented policing mission. It also allows both the Chief
and the District the ability to fill this void with a cost effective and statutorily regulated option. It puts the control of
armed individuals in our schools, back where it belongs, under the authority and direction of the Chief of Police or
law enforcement executive.
Another key component of this new law is the requirement that the SLEO III, undergo School Resource Officer (SRO)
training within one year of appointment. This training will be a valuable tool to the SLEO III, as it provides the
newly appointed officer with the tools necessary to carry out their mission. The New Jersey Guide to establishing a
Safe Schools Resource Officer Program, defines the role of the SRO as “to assist schools and communities in
reducing juvenile delinquency through a collaborative approach between law enforcement and schools, focused on
education, prevention, communication and information sharing.”
I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to address the very real concerns of a large number of school
districts here in New Jersey. During a 2013 survey conducted by the New Jersey School Boards Association School
Security Task Force, over 25% of the districts who participated in the survey identified “SRO/Security Personnel as
one of the three steps they would take to improve school safety if they had the funds.” Not surprising, surveillance
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