ROANOKE CO., Va. – Roanoke County Police Chief R.M. Poindexter says school safety is one of his top priorities.
Because of this, his team has been looking at additional ways to fund school resource officer positions so there is one in every elementary school in the county.
On Tuesday, Chief Poindexter brought forth a grant that would fund an additional eight positions to the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors.
So far the chief has been able to hire seven positions, but they need 16 in total to cover every elementary school.
The board unanimously approved the new grant as a first step into obtaining the funding. The ordinance has to go to second reading and final vote for it to officially be approved.
Vice-Chair of the board, Paul Mahoney, commended the chief’s work during Tuesday’s meeting.
“We’ll have trained, certified people to protect the kids in the schools and I think that’s a credit to you and your staff. It’s important, very important,” Mahoney said.
The next board meeting will be on July 25.