Title: Pittsburgh’s Catholic Diocese Establishes Own Police Force for Enhanced School Safety
Stamping Out School Threats
In response to the disturbing increase in gun violence at schools across the U.S., the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh is taking matters into its own hands. They have created their own armed police force to protect 39 Catholic schools and several regional churches. This turnaround follows a scary ordeal in March 2023 when SWAT teams were called to two Catholic high schools following a false gunman alarm.
A Critical Need for Security
Wendell Hissrich, a former city safety director with significant experience as an FBI unit chief, was hired to assemble this new police force. Since joining, Hissrich has recruited 15 officers and four supervisors, many of whom are retired officers and former state troopers. Along with stepping up human resources, the schools under the diocese’s care are now equipped with cameras, defibrillators, and Stop the Bleed kits – tools proven vital during emergency situations.
The Role of the Police Force
Being part of a school’s ecosystem requires more than just policing skills. Hissrich emphasized that the officers need to be role models who can engage effectively with students and their parents. The goal is not just to maintain security, but to create a caring atmosphere within the school that fosters a sense of safety. The ability to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations is also one of the critical requirements for these newly instated officers.
School Shootings and the Paradox
Gun violence is a major cause of death among young people in the U.S., causing school administrators to make costly security decisions. The tragic shooting at a Georgia high school was a harsh reminder of the urgent need for school security. However, the data available does not clearly support the benefits of school police forces in preventing such violence. For instance, over half of the U.S. firearm deaths are actually suicides, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Moreover, gun violence surged during the covid-19 pandemic, and studies revealed racial disparities in experiencing firearm assaults.
The Catholic Approach
Despite the mixed data, school entities, like the North Allegheny public school system and the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, are proceeding with their school police forces. The goal is to stay prepared and proactive. After all, in this day and age, waiting for a tragedy to strike before taking action is not an option.
Examining the Wider Picture
Since the horrific death of George Floyd, the role of police in schools has been up for debate. Some school districts reduced or even removed their school resource officers in response to concerns about police brutality and racial bias. While backlash and concerns persist, there also appears a renewed recognition of the potential security benefits of school-based police forces.
Can the Police Really Help?
While the general conversation about school-based security continues, the experiences of the schools in Pittsburgh and North Allegheny indicate a trend toward proactive security measures. This shift highlights the importance of preventing tragedies before they happen, rather than responding after the fact.
Closing Thoughts
The move by Pittsburgh’s Catholic Diocese to form its own police force represents a significant step in efforts to safeguard students from gun violence. It points to a new approach where the school security strategy is customized according to the needs and culture of each school. It remains to be seen whether more U.S. schools will follow this path in the near future.
