Shupe seeks to staff constables, officers in all schools

A bill that would fund school resource officers or constables in all public schools and charter schools awaits action in committee.

"Not only is someone there if an emergency should happen, but the SROs and constables really serve as a working environment for law enforcement within our community, so they connect with children on a daily basis in a positive way so these children know who to go to," said Rep. Bryan Shupe, R-Milford, prime sponsor of the bill.

House Bill 32 would create officer units to fund SROs or constables in all public schools.

Shupe said this change is more reliable than the current funding, guaranteeing money for permanent positions of these officers. In Milford, he said, the positions are provided through an agreement with the City of Milford. 

The SRO or constable positions would be provided to all schools, he said, regardless of enrollment, and would provide for more positions in schools with more than 1,000 students.

Cape Henlopen School District hired school resource officers for each of its schools prior to the 2023-24 school year. In a 2023 story, district officials said they expected to receive at least $416,000 in a safety and security grant from the state to go toward funding the personnel, and another $300,000 in local funding would be used if the state grant is not enough.

In separate legislation, House Bill 22, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, D-Newark, and supported by Rep. Stell Parker Selby, would allow constables to direct traffic, providing schools with extra public safety support during busy hours such as drop-off and pickup.

Both bills await action in the House Education Committee.