ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Some Atlanta school leaders said they want to create an independent police force to patrol schools. The announcement came on the heels of the Newtown, Connecticut, school massacre and in the midst of parent meetings to discuss security.
Erroll Davis, Superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, said the new resource officer positions would replace 55 full-time and 233 part-time Atlanta City police officers.
Marquenta Sands, Director of School Security, said replacing city officers with resource officers would help create more consistent and open community with students and staff, making schools safer. "We've had very rich, meaningful conversations about what the community wants to see," said Sands.
The system has hosted parent meetings over the past two weeks to discuss security. Many parents said they supported the idea of creating a homegrown force.
"I like it because it brings in relationship-building with the students and the staff, and they are there consistently," said Marie Mower, a parent who attended a meeting.
The final meeting was scheduled to take place Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Bolton Academy.
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