'It's really appalling': Mother, law enforcement experts react to non-certified SRO's in Walker County
Sarah Walker did not hold back about Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith's arrest on Monday.
鈥淚t's really appalling. Really is unbelievable,鈥� Walker said.
She is most upset about Smith being charged with placing non-certified School Resource Officers in her county's schools.
鈥淭hat's insane because, people's children are there, and if they're not certified, that means that they've had no training,鈥� Walker said.
Sheriff Smith is facing six misdemeanors.
Each count represents one non-certified employee investigators claimed he put in a role with arrest powers.
Four were School Resource Officers.
The National Association for School Resource Officers is headquartered an hour away in Hoover.
鈥淭he specific training that is required to function properly inside the schools is imperative. So, we were very concerned when we heard those,鈥� National Association of SRO鈥檚 Mac Hardy said.
Hardy argued Alabama requires all of its SRO鈥檚 to be APOST-certified for a reason.
And if a shooter threatens a school and the campus is protected by an unqualified officer?
鈥淚 think it puts your county and your school at great risk,鈥� Hardy said.
In addition to indicting the Sheriff on those six charges and his Chief Deputy on one other, the grand jury also made several recommendations.
One was urging the Walker County Board of Education to ensure each of its School Resource Officers has the training needed to keep kids safe.
鈥淭hey definitely need to do their vetting process themselves. But, you know, when you can鈥檛 trust, you know, the law enforcement above you, who can you not trust?鈥� Walker asked.
We reached out to the Walker County Superintendent to talk about the recommendation, but we were told he could not comment about the case since he was a grand jury witness.
Sheriff Smith pledges to vigorously defend the charges in court.
So far, a judge has not scheduled his arraignment.