Oklahoma’s public safety and education departments have announced a partnership to strengthen school safety through training, security assessments, and emergency preparedness efforts aimed at preventing school violence and improving coordination. Deputy Eric Hoover, a school resource officer with the McClain County Sheriff’s Office serving Blanchard Public Schools, stressed the importance of protecting students. “Safety and security — it’s really important for those kids,” Hoover said. Hoover also shared his personal dedication to the students he serves. “While I’m there, I consider them my kids. I would do anything to keep them safe and secure,” he said. The announcement was made Wednesday during a training session at the Department of Public Safety, where school resource officers from across the state gathered. The partnership focuses on expanding training opportunities and ensuring schools are better prepared for emergencies. “What this partnership does — it allows us to utilize resources the State Department of Education is going to provide to OSSI. That lets us just expand that training,” said Tim Tipton, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. State officials reported that more than 6,000 teachers and staff have been trained in “Run. Hide. Fight.” protocols, while over 6,500 officers have completed LASER training, which stands for Law Enforcement Active Shooter Emergency Response. Tipton emphasized the importance of keeping school safety a priority beyond training sessions. “With this partnership with the State Department of Education, we’re going to be even more cohesive in the way that we go out and ensure that this isn’t a topic that goes away, but stays in the forefront,” he said. The initiative aims to prevent school violence, improve coordination, and protect students and staff. “Every parent deserves confidence when they send their child to school each morning that they’re safe, and every educator deserves the training and support they need during an emergency,” said Lindel Fields, Oklahoma state superintendent. Officials noted that as the school year approaches, additional professional training days for teachers may be scheduled. The next school resource officer training is set for July 27-31 at the Department of Public Safety.>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel | Sign up for KOCO 5’s Morning Newsletter
Oklahoma’s public safety and education departments have announced a partnership to strengthen school safety through training, security assessments, and emergency preparedness efforts aimed at preventing school violence and improving coordination.
Deputy Eric Hoover, a school resource officer with the McClain County Sheriff’s Office serving Blanchard Public Schools, stressed the importance of protecting students.
“Safety and security — it’s really important for those kids,” Hoover said.
Hoover also shared his personal dedication to the students he serves.
“While I’m there, I consider them my kids. I would do anything to keep them safe and secure,” he said.
The announcement was made Wednesday during a training session at the Department of Public Safety, where school resource officers from across the state gathered. The partnership focuses on expanding training opportunities and ensuring schools are better prepared for emergencies.
“What this partnership does — it allows us to utilize resources the State Department of Education is going to provide to OSSI. That lets us just expand that training,” said Tim Tipton, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.
State officials reported that more than 6,000 teachers and staff have been trained in “Run. Hide. Fight.” protocols, while over 6,500 officers have completed LASER training, which stands for Law Enforcement Active Shooter Emergency Response.
Tipton emphasized the importance of keeping school safety a priority beyond training sessions.
“With this partnership with the State Department of Education, we’re going to be even more cohesive in the way that we go out and ensure that this isn’t a topic that goes away, but stays in the forefront,” he said.
The initiative aims to prevent school violence, improve coordination, and protect students and staff.
“Every parent deserves confidence when they send their child to school each morning that they’re safe, and every educator deserves the training and support they need during an emergency,” said Lindel Fields, Oklahoma state superintendent.
Officials noted that as the school year approaches, additional professional training days for teachers may be scheduled. The next school resource officer training is set for July 27-31 at the Department of Public Safety.
>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel | Sign up for KOCO 5’s Morning Newsletter
