Paulding County school district swears in inaugural police leadership, outlines MOUs with local agencies

Paulding County School District swore in Mike Ruple on the evening the board reconvened from executive session, installing him as the inaugural head of the new Paulding County School District Police Department.

Superintendent Steve Barnett introduced the swearing-in as the culmination of more than three years of planning, saying the department will be ‘‘100% focused on the kids’’ and that the oath represents ‘‘far more than just a formality.’’ Barnett also noted Julie Ragdale’s role as program manager and thanked local law-enforcement partners for their support.

Ruple and William Eric Pace each repeated a formal oath committing to ‘‘fairly and without malice or partiality’’ uphold the laws of the United States and the state of Georgia and to enforce ordinances they are authorized to apply. After the oath, Barnett presented a commemorative plaque recognizing the board’s leadership in establishing the department.

‘‘Our officers will be known not only for their professionalism and preparedness, but also their compassion, approachability, and commitment to positive interactions with students,’’ Ruple said after the ceremony, emphasizing that the department’s mission extends beyond enforcement to mentoring, relationship-building and support for educators.

Ruple told the board the initiative was driven by a desire to create aligned, responsive school safety structures and cited ongoing discussions to formalize partnerships. He said memorandums of understanding with neighboring cities are underway and that an intergovernmental agreement with the county sheriff’s office is under consideration to define cooperative operations.

The district publicly thanked Sheriff Ashley Henson and chiefs from several municipal and county agencies for their collaboration during the planning process. Ruple said the department will prioritize training, transparency and accountability while aiming to build trust with students and families.

Board members praised the milestone during member comments. ‘‘These individuals are going to be creating really strong personal relationships with these kids,’’ board member Miss Sour said, calling the day ‘‘monumental’’ for the district.

At the same meeting the board approved routine business items: it adopted the meeting agenda, approved the minutes from June 11 and passed the consent agenda and a personnel report. Board motions reported during the session passed by unanimous voice/hand vote.

Next steps identified during remarks include finalizing memorandums of understanding with neighboring jurisdictions and advancing the intergovernmental agreement with the sheriff’s office; no formal agreements were signed during the meeting.

The board recessed briefly for photos after the swearing-in and then reconvened to continue regular business.