D11 security patrols can be armed in schools

Security officers assigned to some of Colorado Springs’ largest schools could be carrying guns while they walk the halls.

District 11 administrators gave the green light to contracted guards last summer, allowing them to carry weapons on campus, though it won’t be mandatory.

“It is on their own will,” said Robert Curran, D11 assistant superintendent.

But the patrol officers at D11 can be armed if they choose.

“If they decide to carry, they’ll be placed in distinct uniforms so CSPD can identify them. But they don’t have to carry if they don’t wish to,” he said.

It stemmed from a request by those officers last summer.

D11 is not the first district to arm its guards.

D20 has had armed resource officers on campus for years, which they believe could stop an active shooter faster.

“You would have someone on campus that could immediately respond should an incident occur. You’d be a deterrent to anyone on campus, they’d know there’s likely someone armed who could respond before Colorado Springs Police Department arrived,” Curran said.

But armed officers were also on the campus of columbine high school in 1999.

A final report released by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office showed an armed officer was in a different area of the school when the first shots were fired.

D20 admits armed guards aren’t a complete stopgap to school shootings or violence…

“We’re doing everything in our power to make kids safe,” Curran said.

About half of the District 11 patrol officers have agreed to carry weapons.

They’ll go through anywhere from eight to 40 hours of training and gun range time, before they’re allowed to carry weapons on school campuses.