Gov. Braun names director of newly established Indiana Office of School Safety

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Mike Braun announced on Tuesday that Julie Smith, a 20-year veteran of the Columbus Police Department, will lead the newly established Indiana Office of School Safety, an office that Braun has been speaking on since his campaign.

During a Tuesday morning ceremony in the Beech Grove City Schools district, Braun spoke about the importance of taking a “proactive approach” to school safety, something he believes this office and Smith’s leadership will help with in the state of Indiana.

Smith is a recently retired sergeant of the Columbus Police Department who oversaw the school resource officer division in Columbus. According to a recent post on social media from the department surrounding her retirement, Smith served as a school resource officer and supervisor, helping “protect… local students and provide a safe environment for them to learn.”

The Indiana Office of School Safety was a talking point that Braun spoke about before he was elected and sworn in as Indiana’s governor. According to previous reports, Braun’s campaign with the then Lieutenant Governor-candidate Micah Beckwith released its public safety and education plans, both of which emphasized the establishment of the office.

At the time, officials said that the office would enhance existing authorities at the Department of Education, the Department of Homeland Security and the Indiana State Police when it comes to school safety. The campaign also said that it would increase funding for the Secured School Safety Grant program and implement age-appropriate cyber safety training for students.

During his remarks Tuesday morning, Braun referenced his State of the State address from late January, stating that there is nothing more important to him than Hoosier safety, and specifically student safety.

The newly established office aims to bring all of the state’s school safety efforts into one team, giving districts the tools they need to keep everyone safe. Braun said that Smith, as the first director of the office, brings a “wealth” of specialized experience.

As a nationally recognized individual in the area of school safety, Braun said Smith will help strengthen schools in the state’s safety efforts.

“Providing a safe and secure environment for Hoosier students to learn and grow is a top priority for me both as Governor and as a father and grandfather,” Braun said in a news release surrounding the announcement. “Our Office of School Safety puts that priority into action, and Sergeant Julie Q. Smith is uniquely qualified and dedicated to this mission to strengthen our schools and help students thrive.”

Smith thanked Bruan for his office’s commitment ot school safety, stressing that she is “honored” to take the position. During her remarks on Tuesday, Smith said she was passionate about school safety, stating that every child deserves a safe and secure environment to learn and develop in.

Smith said that the office will be proactive, collaborative and focused on the well-being of every student. Smith said she expects that the office will have partnerships between districts, law enforcement and stakeholders that will foster collaboration across the state.

“I’ve dedicated my career to keeping students safe, and it’s an honor to put my experience to work strengthening Indiana schools and communities as the Director of the Office of School Safety,” Smith said in the release.

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