Park City schools to add full-time police officers in compliance with new Utah law

The Park City Police motorcycle officers give a lights and sirens show for some McPolin Elementary students. Photo: TownLift

PARK CITY, Utah — According to Michael Tanner, the district’s chief operating officer, the Park City School District (PCSD) will add sworn police officers at each district school in response to this year’s Utah HB84 law requiring an armed guardian at every school.

“PCSD will comply with the mandates of HB84 and provide an SRO [sworn police officer] at each district school,” Tanner said, explaining that alternatives such as trained staff or contracted security were considered but ultimately rejected due to “safety, training currency and uniformity issues, and liability concerns.”

Adding five new school resource officers (SROs) is expected to cost $750,000 annually, with PCSD’s share likely totaling $375,000. Tanner noted that the Park City Police Department and Summit County Sheriff’s Office would share the remaining cost. “With no long-term SRO funding attached to HB84, PCSD will have to reduce expenditures in other operational areas to meet this mandate,” he said, pointing out that minimal state funding accompanied the law.

To ensure the smooth integration of officers into the school environment, Tanner highlighted PCSD’s collaborative relationship with local law enforcement. “The PCSD Security Director will work closely with the new SROs to ensure they meet district expectations and provide a true enhancement to building security,” he said.