The Meridian City Council voted 5-0 to authorize interested off‑duty law enforcement officers to provide additional security at Meridian High School athletic events. Councilmembers moved the item from its original place on the consent agenda to become the first routine item and approved it by unanimous vote.
The council discussion to reposition the item included a motion to amend the agenda language to read an order authorizing the employee health care benefits, insurance plans and options for city of Meridian current and former employees and to move the school security authorization from item 7 to item 1 on the consent agenda. After the item was called, a council member asked for a brief explanation for the public.
A representative of the school district described the partnership as an “additional layer of security” and thanked the council and the police chief for allowing off‑duty officers to work athletic events. The council then approved the order with a 5-0 vote.
The council's action authorizes interested off‑duty officers to provide security; the transcript does not specify implementation details such as contracting, pay rates for officers, which police officers are eligible, or liability arrangements. Those operational details were not discussed on the record at this meeting.