HCSO Sheriff Jim Hammond to Officially Kick-Off New School Initiative in Hamilton County Schools

Hamilton County, TN - On Thursday, February 18th at 7:20 am, Sheriff Jim Hammond, members of the HCSO, and the Hamilton County Department of Education will officially kick off the Sheriff’s new school initiative, the Sheriff's School LAWS Program.

The HCSO School LAWS Program is a new initiative and stands for "Law Enforcement Actively Working in Schools" and was created by Sheriff Jim Hammond to increase law enforcement’s presence in our local schools in cooperation with the many programs already underway as part of the highly successful HCSO School Resource Officer (SRO) Program.

The Sheriff's School LAWS Program focuses on cultivating lines of communication between students and law enforcement by enabling Sheriff Hammond and Command Staff personnel to personally visit and tour our local schools and speak to students about the mission of the HCSO, the importance of being law abiding citizens and staying in school, and any serious issues students may be facing at that particular school. The program will also allow the Sheriff time to personally discuss individual school issues with the SRO and the school’s Principal.

The Sheriff's School LAWS Program will begin by focusing on our community’s middle and high schools and then gradually incorporate our elementary schools as well.

"The children in our schools today are tomorrow's leaders… It is important to let them know that members of law enforcement are here to serve them and we are concerned for their future and their welfare." Sheriff Hammond stated. “The Sheriff's LAW Program is designed to allow me the opportunity to personally speak with students, our SRO's, and school leadership in order to expand the relationship of law enforcement within the educational process."

The Sheriff's School LAWS Program will officially kick-off next week on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at 7:20 am at Red Bank High School.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend. Students have been given releases to sign and the media will be able to film and gather sound on location.

Media representatives who will be covering the event are requested to be at the school no later than 7:10 am for escort and set up in the class room. The sheriff will speak to the Government Class and take questions from students from 7:20 to 8:20 am. A tour of the school will be

conducted after the meeting followed by a private meeting with the SRO and the school’s principal.

Any questions should be directed to HCSO PIO Matt Lea at 994-3756.