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School Police Report: Stadium Game, Staffing and Training Plans After Weekend Shooting Incident
Summary
School police told the committee that the first high‑school football game was broadly secure, outlined staffing and recruitment numbers, and said a weekend shooting victim who may be a student prompted cross‑checks and safety plans; the department is recruiting to reach a budgeted 16 positions and scheduling enhanced juvenile‑law training.
The Brockton school police lieutenant briefed the School Committee on Sept. 16 about stadium security at the recent Brockton High School football game, a weekend shooting incident involving a 14‑year‑old and staffing and training plans for the school police unit.
The lieutenant said the first football game at Marciano Stadium was "a major safety success" apart from "some minor issues," noting that school police, city officers, canine units and drone teams were used and that the department consulted state police, the FBI and the Commonwealth Fusion Center for threat information.
Nut graf: The lieutenant said the department now has 11 school police officers on staff (eight fully working officers, one officer completing field training, plus the lieutenant and sergeant), with conditional offers extended to two additional candidates. The committee budgeted for 16 positions; the lieutenant said the department expects to hire additional officers pending background, medical and academy requirements.
The lieutenant described a recent critical incident in which a 14‑year‑old recovered from a gunshot wound. Staff cross‑referenced the youth’s name against school rosters; if the person is a district student, the district notifies principals and the superintendent and establishes a safety plan for affected schools, the lieutenant said.
The department plans an enhanced juvenile‑law training next month led by a long‑time instructor who is also an attorney. The lieutenant said the district is adding a Spanish‑language competency requirement for one hire because bilingual officers are needed.
Discussion versus action: The briefing was informational. Committee members asked for clarification of staffing numbers and budgeting; no personnel hires were finalized in open session.
Clarifying details: Current staffing reported as 11 school police officers on the roster, with two conditional letters of employment issued and a target budget of 16 positions. One officer is in field training and two additional candidates must pass psychological, medical, Spanish proficiency and police academy requirements before hiring is final.
Ending: Committee members thanked the department and asked staff to continue recruiting and to report back as hires are completed and training is scheduled.
