Charlotte County, FL (August 7, 2024)
23 participants completed their training with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office today, earning their certifications as Guardians for Charlotte County Public Schools.
After 144 hours of rigorous training, 23 individuals will now serve as Charlotte County Public School Guardians. Guardians are armed civilians who are stationed on school campuses for the sole purpose of added protection against an active threat. These individuals are trained through law enforcement and serve alongside School Resource Officers, providing another set of eyes and an additional layer of security to protect the most important assets in the county - our youth.
"The safety of our students is our highest priority, and the addition of these trained Guardians enhances our campus security," said Superintendent Mark Vianello. "We are grateful for our partnership with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office and their commitment to this vital program. Together, we ensure our schools remain safe environments where students can focus on their education without fear."
Members of the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Training Unit provided the extensive training, which included de-escalation techniques, legal issues, defensive tactics, and many different variations of firearms instruction. Among the firearms modules were discretionary shooting exercises, active assailant scenarios, and firearm precision training. Every bit of this program is designed to help prepare the Guardians for possible threats on campuses and provide them with the most effective and expedient way to respond.
Additionally, all of the participants completed a psychological examination and initial drug test, as well as random drug tests throughout the program. They will complete ongoing training, weapons inspections, and requalification tests at a minimum of once per year.
"I commend these individuals for their dedication to not only the training, but to the overall mission of protecting the youth of Charlotte County. It is no easy thing to consciously decide to put the lives of others before your own, but that is what these people have done. It should be applauded, though I pray that their new skills are never needed in our schools," states Sheriff Bill Prummell.
