Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is facing increased pressure from the Milwaukee Police Association (MPA) and state lawmakers to reinstate school resource officers, as mandated by a recent state law. 

Officers were originally removed from MPS in 2016 and were only patrolling school grounds until 2020. Despite a new law requiring MPS to hire at least 25 school resource officers by January 1, 2024, these positions have yet to be filled, raising concerns about student safety, according to Fox 6.

MPA President Alexander Ayala emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that there have been nearly 1,700 calls for police assistance at MPS schools between August and December 2022 alone. Ayala argued that this diverts police resources from addressing violent crimes in the city, compromising both public safety and the safety of students.

State Senator John Jagler (R-Watertown) expressed frustration with MPS’s non-compliance, highlighting that the school district is effectively breaking the law. Jagler has written to the school board demanding clarity on their plans to meet the legal requirements.

The MPS school board is scheduled to discuss the matter in an upcoming meeting, where further actions may be determined.