KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Protests over school resource officers resurfaced at the last Kalamazoo City Commission meeting, prompting a delay in an agreement between the City and Kalamazoo Public Schools to place an officer at Loy Norrix High this fall. It will be back on the agenda for the city commission tonight.
Following the Black Lives Matter protests, opponents wanted the program defunded. School officials rejected that this spring, but have modified the job description to address some of their concerns.
Chief Vern Coakley says the SRO will be required to work more closely with school officials. Coakley says he has hand-picked the officer, who is specially trained for the position.
City Commissioners were scheduled to approve the deal two weeks ago, but delayed it after some of the same protests surfaced again.
The board will get a presentation from school officials this afternoon, prior to tonight’s meeting.
Kalamazoo Public Schools is making the same arrangement with the Township of Kalamazoo Police Department for Kalamazoo Central High School’s Resource Officer. The campus of the school in the township.
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