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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: April 4, 2025  Amends – G.O. 19.1.5 ( October 4, 2023 ) Number: 19.1.5 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: February Reviewing Authority: SSD / Youth Services Subject : Safe School (Guardian ) Program This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this order is to establish agency guidelines for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office , Safe School (Guardian ) Program , which consist s of training Safe School Officers, as defined in FS 30.15 and FS 1006.12 where part or all of the employment responsibilities include providing services as a School Security Guard or School Guardian who provide services as a Safe School Officer. 2. Policy It shall be the policy of the agency to provide Safe School Officer training , pursuant to FS 30.15 and agency policy, to authorized public c harter school , private school employees , or licensed security guards for the purpose of assuming the duties of a Safe School Officer by protecting students, school personnel , and visitors against active assailants who pose an immediate deadly threat . This order will apply to all personnel participating in the Safe School Officer training or performing Guardian duties at public charter schools or private schools in Orange County . Personnel performing Guardian duties have no authority to act in any law enforcement capacity except to the extent necessary to prevent or abate active assailant incident s on school premises. 3. Definitions A. Agency – Shall refer to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. B. Agency Point of Contact - The Youth Services Section Lieutenant is the point of contact for the agency’s Safe School Officer ( Guardian ) Program. C. Safe School (Guardian) Program – A program where t raining is provided by the agency in accordance with FS 1006.12 and FS 30.15 to certify School Guardians and Private Security Guards as a Safe School Officer for charter or private schools . D. Safe School Officers – There are 4 categories of School Safety Officers, defined in FS 1006.12 . 1. School Resource Officers – Certified law enforcement officers employed by 19.1.5, Page 2 of 5 a law enforcement agency (e.g. Orange County Sheriff’s Office ). 2. School Safety Officers – Certified law enforcement officers employed by a school district (e.g. Orange County Public School District ). 3. School Guardian - Employees of the school district, charter school or a private school wh o meet the requirements of FS 30.15 (1) (k) . 4. School Security Guard – A licensed security guard, as defined in FS 1006.12 and 493.6101(18) employed by a school district, charter school or a private school. NOTE : School Guardians and School Security Guards shall meet and maintain the requirements required by FS 30.15 and the Orange County Sheriff's Office. School Security Guards shall hold a Class “D” and Class “G” license. E. School Premises - Real property owned by or leased to any public or private elementary, middle, or high school or school board and used for elementary, middle, or high school education (FS 810.0975 ). The grounds of a public charter school as provided under FS 1002.33 , including the structures and land comprising its curtilage. 4. Procedures A. Recruiting and Background: 1. Recruiting and Background shall accept applications submitted to safeschoolofficers@ocsofl.com email for the initial Safe School Officer or the annual Guardian weapons qualification training courses. 2. Recruiting and Background will complete background investigations in accordance with GO 4.4.8 , and additional requirements listed below, prior to the participant being selected to attend the Safe School Officer Training Program. a. Guardian program participants shall be either a licensed security guard or have a current concealed weapons permit. 1. A licensed security guard with a Class D and G license . The license will be at the expense of the participant or their employer. 2. Have a concealed weapons (CCW) permit. The permit shall be at the expense of participants or their employers. NOTE : A copy o f the CCW permit or the Security guard licenses will be provided to the agency and maintained in HRD. b. Successfully pass an initial drug test performed at a medical laboratory recognized by the agency in compliance with FS 112.0455 . 1. Results of the test shall be provided to the agency and maintained by the agency’s HRD. 2. The drug test shall be at the expense of Guardian program participants or their employers . c. Successfully pass a psychological evaluation administered and 19.1.5, Page 3 of 5 assessed by a psychologist licensed under FS Chapter 490 , selected by the agency. 1. Results of the psychological evaluation shall be provided to the agency and maintained by the agency’s HR D. 2. The psychological evaluation will be at the expense of Guardian program participants or their employers . d. Prior to participating in any agency training the Safe School Officer will be approved by the sheriff, or designee. e. Guardian program participan ts shall sign a Hold Harmless and Indemnification Agreement