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Center Grove officials outline plan to use reserve school officers, await workers'‑comp decision
Summary
District staff proposed a reserve‑officer program to retain experienced officers for events and coverage; the board supported the idea but asked staff to confirm workers'‑comp arrangements and finalize selection and training policies before moving forward.
A district presenter told the board the work session's first item was a proposal to implement a reserve‑school‑officer program to provide coverage for absences and large events and to retain a trusted volunteer, Ray Jackson. The presenter said the district updated a policy that aligns with the police department's standard operating procedures and the Center Grove Community School Corp policies and intends the reserve force to meet the same high standards as full‑time officers.
The presenter described minimum selection and training expectations: candidates must complete either the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (600 hours) or an approved county reserve program — the presenters said the Johnson County reserve program runs about 480 hours — and then complete the district's field‑training outline (approximately a 12‑week program) and ride‑along requirements. The presenter said some candidates will already have the sheriff's reserve certification; the district would also expect school‑specific training for school‑based policing, described in the transcript as the Nazro model, which combines policing, counseling and teaching.
Board members asked who would pay for training. A presenter said sheriff‑sponsored reserve programs are usually free; officers who choose the full state academy would be expected to pay their own tuition. Chief Cooper (police) and the presenter said the district would sponsor candidates through the sheriff's reserve program when feasible.
Several board members raised insurance and workers'‑comp questions. The presenter said the district's liability coverage would extend to reserves but that workers'‑comp for unpaid volunteers remains unresolved: "we're still working out how we get them workers comp protection because if we're not actually employing them, they're not employees and paid" the presenter said. Staff told the board they have reached out to the carrier and are exploring options; the district will not move the policy forward for readings until staff confirm the workers'‑comp arrangements.
Board members emphasized a strict hiring and removal process: presenters said the district will hold reserves to the same behavioral and training standards as full‑time officers and will decline or end participation if a reserve is not a good fit. The presenter cited long‑time reserves who serve mainly to give back as examples of acceptable volunteers, while acknowledging others may use reserve service as a pathway into a law‑enforcement career.
The presenter said staff will return to the board with a formal policy on the reserve program in a two‑reading format once the workers'‑comp question is resolved. No formal vote or action was taken during the informational work session.
