Posted by: jgomori Posted date: January 20, 2023

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that 195 school districts, intermediate school districts, and public-school academies will receive nearly $25 million in grants to support hiring 195 School Resource Officers (SROs) for the next three years.

These Law Enforcement Officers will improve safety and security for more than 334,000 Michigan students.

“Every parent wants their kids to be safe at school,” Whitmer said. “These grants will help us hire almost 200 more School Resource Officers so we can make sure our children, teacher, and staff are safe at school. Let’s keep working together to make record investments in our students and improve their classroom experience, build up school infrastructure, hire excellent educators, and invest in their comprehensive well-being, from mental health to safety.”

A panel of representatives from education and policing awarded the grants, giving priority to schools and school districts without a current School Resource Officer. Priority was also given to more schools from communities with lower student enrollment and less total per pupil funding. Michigan State Police (MSP), Grants and Community Services Division, administers these funds which may be used to support salaries, benefits and training for SROs. A 50 percent match is required to be provided by the applicant jurisdiction.

“These grant awards will not only help to provide better safety in our school buildings by increasing the number of schools throughout the state with at least one SRO, but very importantly, by prioritizing smaller schools in more remote areas, we will reduce the time it takes for a police response in the event of an emergency,” said MSP Director Col. Joe Gasper.

For a complete list of awards, please click on the Office of School Safety link below.

 Office of School Safety