New Missouri laws create Missouri Rangers program, expand ‘school protection officers’ designation
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Two new Missouri laws taking effect Friday will give school districts more options for placing armed personnel inside schools.
One law creates a training program known as the “Missouri Rangers.” The other expands who may serve as a "school protection officer." Participation in both programs is optional for school districts.
The Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission is required to establish the Missouri Rangers training program, which will focus on preventing and responding to emergencies or violent crises in schools.
The program may include up to 160 hours of training in areas including active-shooter response, firearms, close-quarters combat, de-escalation, behavioral threat assessments, defensive tactics, building security and first aid.
Applicants must pass a criminal background check and meet physical fitness requirements before entering the training program. People who complete the program will receive a certificate and Missouri Ranger badge.
Missouri Rangers must be employed by the school or district where they serve. Districts may hire them as full-time or part-time employees or use them as unpaid volunteers.
Their arrest authority is generally limited to school property, school buses and certain offenses involving firearms or school property. Those restrictions do not apply to active law enforcement officers.
Schools and districts will decide whether Rangers can carry weapons and whether those weapons must be concealed. Rangers who openly carry a handgun must use a special, secure holster.
A separate change to Missouri’s school protection officer law expands eligibility beyond teachers and administrators. Beginning Friday, any employee of a public school district or charter school may request designation as a school protection officer.
The role is voluntary and performed in addition to the employee’s regular job responsibilities. Any additional compensation must come from the local district because the law does not provide state funding.
School protection officers may carry a concealed gun or pepper spray if authorized by their district. An employee who wants to carry a gun must have a valid concealed-carry permit and complete a school protection officer training program approved by the Missouri Department of Public Safety.
Before implementing a school protection officer program, a school board must hold a public hearing and vote on the proposal. Notice of the hearing must be published at least 15 days in advance.
The Missouri Rangers program was created through Senate Bill 905. The expansion of the school protection officer program was included in House Bill 1866.
