An effective partnership between the Elizabethton Police Department and Elizabethton City Schools System netted positive results early this week.
The EPD conducted security procedure and protocol testing through the system with the use of undercover police officers on Monday, April 3.
“Operations were planned by members of the administration with Elizabethton City Schools and the Elizabethton Police Department,” EPD Captain Joy Shoun said. “During the planning phase, the operation remained confidential to ensure that the faculty, staff and potential law enforcement personnel notified would respond without knowledge of the matter being a training exercise.”
According to the department, the operation was designed to test the application of protocols at each location and the sharing of information to law enforcement.
“The goal was to test the effectiveness of these procedures and identify any area which would require additional training or modifications,” Shoun added.
Throughout the day Monday, plain-clothed officers were sent to each school, posing either as a regular citizen or parent.
Officers were instructed to interact with faculty and staff regarding an issue which would be encountered within a school setting.
Areas tested during the day include:
• Detection of suspicious behavior
• Building security
• Interactions with individuals either agitated or disgruntled
• Release of student information
• Proper identification of visitors
• Detection of suspicious behavior
Later on Monday, officers met with school principals and administration to discuss the details of each incident and provide feedback regarding the actions taken.
“The exercise did not produce results that would indicate any areas of failure for any locations,” Shoun said. “The scenarios provided affirmation to the effectiveness of the policies in place but also initiated considerations of modification and adjustments needed for improvements.”
The captain added that there were no interactions with students at any of the locations and none of the scenarios were designed to elicit responses that would “cause fear or any type of disruption to students’ activities.”
Whether it is exercises, traffic or overall protection throughout day-to-day activities, ECS Director of Schools Dr. Corey Gardenhour expressed his gratitude for the continued support from the police department.
“We’re so thankful for the continued partnership between the Elizabethton Police Department and school system,” Dr. Gardenhour said. “Their commitment to keep students, faculty and the public safe is always appreciated. They work in so many different ways and I can’t say enough about them.”
While it was a job well done Monday, Shoun added that training efforts will continue to help keep the school system in safe hands.
“Training efforts between Elizabethton City Schools and the Elizabethton Police Department will continue in order to implement the most effective security practices in our schools,” she said. “It is our belief that continuing these relationships will foster safe and productive learning environments for teachers and students.”