A Tennessee lawmaker has reintroduced a bill for the 2025 legislative session that would seek to fill a shortage in school resource officers by allowing the hiring of veterans and retired law enforcement officers.
Republican Rep. Tim Rudd reintroduced the bill for the 2025 legislative session. It passed the House during the last legislative session, but failed to pass in the Senate.
The bill would allow public charter schools to hire honorably discharged veterans and retired law enforcement officers to work as school resource officers.
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The Tennessee State Capitol building, on January 8, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Applicants must complete 40 hours of basic school policy training, pass a test to be eligible to purchase and possess a handgun, obtain written authorization to carry or possess a firearm on school grounds, undergo a psychological evaluation and pass an FBI criminal history check.
“They still have to undergo training. The reason is to try to find more resource officers in these rural areas, especially so we can protect our children,” Rudd told WTVC.
“This certainly won’t solve the shortage, but it will help,” he added. “Ultimately, it will be up to the school system whether they want to use them, and what guidelines and rules they set.”

Drone view of the Tennessee State Capitol. (Joe Sohm/America Visions/Global Image Collection via Getty Images)
Rudd says the proposal will help veterans and retired law enforcement officers, but the main priority is protecting children.
A man who served in the Navy for more than 20 years said the measure could be an opportunity for veterans to find renewed purpose and be a role model for students.
“They have all the skills that would be necessary to bring into a school environment setting as a resource officer,” Mickey McCamish told WTVC.
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The Tennessee State Capitol Building is seen on January 22, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
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The transition from military to civilian life may be difficult for some, but McCamish says these individuals will be ideal role models for students.
“There could be nothing better than having veterans as a role model for students either in a resource officer position or just to be a part of school life,” he said.
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2025-01-27 10:17:00
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