Nazareth Schools Getting Police Officer

Written by Jack Tobias

Nazareth school district is about to gets its own police officer.

The school board has approved two new policies on school police officers and weapon possession – both needed before a district officer can be hired.

The district has been using an Upper Nazareth Township police officer as a school resource officer. But his duties have been confined to the three schools in the township – the high school, middle school and intermediate school.

The new officer will have jurisdiction at all district schools and will be a year-round employee so that the officer can handle safety and security policies while schools are closed for the summer, superintendent Dennis Riker said.

The Upper Nazareth officer has been serving only during the school year, Riker noted.

School board president Lorin Bradley said the district should look forward to increased security with the hiring of the new officer.

Riker said at Monday night's meeting that the job will be advertised, with the deadline for applications being Aug. 7. The district’s goal is to hire the new officer at the board’s Aug. 19 meeting, he said.

Applicants are required to have previous police experience, Riker said.

The new officer will be authorized to carry a gun in school buildings, just as the Upper Nazareth officer has done, Riker said.

The policy that the board approved authorizes the officer to carry firearms as long as they have the appropriate certification training and maintain firearms qualifications.

The policy also says the officer will have the authority to enforce order in school buildings, on buses and at bus stops, and at school functions.

It grants the officer the same authority as that of a municipal officer, including the ability to makes arrests and issue citations.