State Representative Jeremy Faison Meets With Republican Leadership For School Resource Officer Discussion

Recently, State Representative Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) met with members of Republican leadership – including House Republican Caucus Chairman Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville) – to begin working on a proposal for the 2019 legislative session to place a school resource officer (SRO) in every Tennessee school.

The meeting included legal staff, conservative leaders, as well as additional stakeholders and builds upon Republican-led efforts in 2018 to better protect our children and their teachers during school hours.

Earlier this year, House Republicans approved recommendations made by a working group to enhance protections at academic institutions across Tennessee during school hours. They include a review and risk assessment of all facilities to identify vulnerabilities, an increase in available resources to help secure more SROs, and a statewide technology application for the anonymous reporting of security threats.

Because of his dedication to school safety, Faison was able to secure more than $709,000 in budget funding for Cocke County, Greene County, Jefferson County, and Newport Schools this year to be used for improvements in access and vehicle control, surveillance upgrades, school  resource officers, classroom security, behavioral and mental health positions and programs, and emergency planning at local schools.

“As the father of five children, I believe we must provide safe environments where our students and their teachers can focus all of their efforts and energy on what matters most – learning,” said Representative Faison. “I am grateful that Chairman Williams and my colleagues have prioritized school safety and understand the importance of having a resource officer at every school campus. I look forward to working with them to better protect Tennessee’s future leaders.”

“I know Jeremy Faison is committed to maintaining safe and excellent learning environments, and I appreciate his passion and shared vision for strengthening current protections for our students, teachers, and schools,” said Chairman Williams. “I look forward to working with him on the further development and implementation of this plan in the days, weeks, and months ahead.”

Jeremy Faison serves as Chairman of the House Government Operations Committee. He is also a member of the House Calendar & Rules Committee, the House Health Committee and Subcommittee, the Joint Government Operations Committee, Joint Government Operations Commerce, Labor, Transportation & Agriculture, Joint Government Operations Education, Health & General Welfare, and the Joint Government Operations Judiciary & Government Subcommittees. Faison lives in Cosby and represents House District 11, which includes Cocke and part of Jefferson and Greene Counties. He can be reached by email at:  Rep.Jeremy.Faison@capitol.tn.gov<mailto:Rep.Jeremy.Faison@capitol.tn.gov> or by calling (615) 741-6871.