Tennessee lawmaker reintroduces bill to allow veterans, retired cops to work as School Resource Officers

AND Tennessee State Legislator reintroduced a bill for the 2025 legislative session that would try to fill the shortage of school resource officers by allowing the hiring of veterans and retired law enforcement officers.

Republican MP Tim Rudd has re-introduced the bill for the 2025 parliamentary session. It was passed by the House during the last legislative session, but failed to pass the Senate.

The bill would allow public charter schools hire honorably discharged veterans and retired law enforcement officers to serve as school resource officers.

POLICE: TENNESSEE SCHOOL ACQUIRED ‘SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCED’ by material found on ‘harmful’ websites

The Tennessee State Capitol seen on January 8, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Applicants must complete 40 hours of basic school policy training, pass a test to become eligible to purchase and own a handgun, obtain a written permit to carry or possess a firearm on school grounds, undergo a psychiatric evaluation and pass an FBI criminal background check.

“They still have to go through training. The reason is to try to get more resource officers in these rural areas, especially so we can protect our children,” Rudd told WTVC.

“This will certainly not solve the shortage problem, but it will help,” he added. “Ultimately, it’s up to the school system whether they use them and what guidelines and rules they set.”

A drone view of the Tennessee State Capitol. (Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Rudd says the proposal would help veterans and retired law enforcement officersbut the main priority is to protect the children.

A man who served in the Navy for more than 20 years said the measure could be an opportunity for veterans to find new purpose and be role models for students.

“They have all the skills that would be needed to step into a school environment as a resource officer,” Mickey McCamish told WTVC.

POLICE: TENNESSEE SCHOOL SHOOTER WHO KILLED ONE, WOUNDED ANOTHER AS TEENAGER

The Tennessee State Capitol is seen on January 22, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, file)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The transition from military life to civilian life can be difficult for some, but McCamish says these individuals would be perfect role models for students.

“There simply couldn’t be a better fit than a veteran as a role model for students in a resource officer position or simply as part of school life,” he said.