FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Broward Sheriff’s Office partnered with Keiser University to train armed guardians ahead of the upcoming school year.
Using the Milo Range Simulator, an immersive practice, the guardians were put through several real-life scenarios.
They were guided by an instructor who gave officers immediate feedback.
The guardianship program began in 2018 following the Parkland school shooting where 17 people were murdered.
The officers training on Thursday went through several virtual school shooting scenarios.
“This goes above and beyond the basics that they get in their annual certification,” said Broward County Public Schools police Chief Kevin Nosowicz.
This is in addition to the annual BSO recertification for officers who serve the sixth-largest school district in the nation.
Dwayne Jiles, a retired military policeman with more than 20 years of experience, is now in his seventh year of the program and said training is vital to school safety.
“It’s always good to just get more training,” he said.
The armed guardians know they may be the first line of defense if they find themselves in an active school shooter situation.
In total, about 80 armed guardians participated in Thursday’s training.