School Police Enhance Safety With New Building Audits

Safety and security are always a top priority for Ozark School District, and this year our School Police added a new layer of protection: Comprehensive Building Safety Audits conducted quarterly at every campus.

“We can always improve on what we do,” said Director of School Police Sgt. John Wilkerson. “The quarterly checks give us a clear look at what’s happening in each building and allow officers to better understand and manage the flow of the campus. They provide a strong snapshot of how that building is operating.”

School Resource Officer Taylor Wheeler brought the idea back from a professional development training and developed a detailed checklist our six school police officers now use during each safety check. The checklist covers key safety measures, including ensuring exterior doors are secured, badge readers and cameras are functioning properly, and students are using hall passes when leaving classrooms.

“It’s a good temperature check to see where we are in the buildings,” Wilkerson said. “We give some recommendations to the building administrators as well as it gives our officers a chance to highlight students and staff and the things they are doing well.”

While School Police have conducted these types of checks informally for years, Wilkerson said the process is now formalized, documented quarterly, and archived. This not only strengthens accountability but also provides consistent opportunities for both improvement and positive feedback.

“This process ensures we’re recognizing the many things our teams do exceptionally well. It’s a balanced approach that helps us grow as a district,” said Executive Director of Operations Richie Fretwell. “By documenting our efforts and sharing meaningful feedback, we’re building stronger connections with our staff and reinforcing a culture of safety across every campus. Together, we’re creating the best possible environment for teaching and learning.”
 

School Resource Officer Taylor Wheeler checks the doors at Ozark Middle School.