NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Antioch High School will be the first comprehensive high school in Nashville with three permanent school resource officers (SROs), according to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD).
The MNPD announced the addition Monday and said it would be effective starting Tuesday, which is the first day back for students following a deadly shooting at the school last week.
“The mission of our SROs is to enhance safety in the school environment while building relationships with students and staff,” MNPD Chief John Drake said in a Monday press release. “We want the 2,200 students of Antioch to know that the police department supports them and wants to be part of the healing process as students return to campus on Tuesday. A third SRO provides for more visibility and the opportunity for more relationship building at this very large high school.”
Additionally, more officers will be on the Antioch High School campus throughout the week “to help reassure parents and students that school safety is a a top priority of the MNPD.” The move comes less than a week after a deadly shooting at the school and after multiple questions were raised about security at Metro Nashville Public Schools.
The school will also pilot a new weapons detection system on loan to the district, which MNPS called “a significant step forward in creating safer learning environments for students and staff” in a press release.
