Thursday, September 24, 2009
GREENSBORO — Police in Greensboro schools are armed with Tasers for the first time, but school officials were slow to find out.
Tony Scales, the school system’s safety administrator, only learned of the change Wednesday. No official notice from the city was given to Guilford County Schools or the Board of Education.
The issue of Tasers in schools has been a hot topic since the sheriff’s office began arming its school resource officers with them. The issue drew attention again last week when a school-assigned deputy used a Taser on a girl at Ragsdale High. The girl, 15, assaulted two school officials and the deputy, according to the sheriff’s office.
Police Chief Tim Bellamy said his department began arming officers with Tasers in 2007. He said he has always intended to arm all officers with the weapons, including officers assigned to schools.
<snip>
After last week’s incident, Hayes said the school board might need to create a panel to review incidents involving school resource officers.
Read more