PEORIA, Ill. — The Peoria Public Schools Board of Education has decided to table a policy change that would alter the uniforms of their resource officers (SRO).
The proposed change would make the new uniform khakis and a polo, instead of the current traditional police officer uniform.
Opponents of the change said it would make officers less identifiable, and therefore create a less safe environment.
“It’s a comfort to me — if I go into a school — to know I can identify the SROs versus a teacher,” said board member Lynne Costic. “You see many, many male and female teachers that are in khakis and polo shirts.
“I think they need to be identified and not have to guess who they are.”
Resource Officer Timothy Wolfmeyer also voiced his displeasure at the rule change at Monday night’s board meeting.
“These uniforms that we wear proudly everyday help us identify with our students, staff and guests in our buildings,” said Wolfmeyer. “Police reform is teaching officers what our department does every single day.
“State reps want to model reform after what we do.”
Wolfmeyer said it would cost anywhere from $12,000 to $15,000 to re-uniform all resource officers.
Proponents of the change, such as board member Martha Ross, said research has been done to show the uniform change will not affect safety in the schools.
Board member Dan Walther said it should be bargained in a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) because uniforms are a working condition.
The item was tabled until the May 24 Board of Education meeting, after further discussion can be had with representatives from both sides.
