Iowa City district considering police presence in schools

The Iowa City Police Department and school district are discussing the possibility of adding a “community police presence” in secondary schools.

Superintendent Steve Murley said the district and police are carefully considering adding one or two officers to work in the district's six middle and high school buildings on a full-time basis.

“We are really looking at this as a relationship building opportunity,” Murley said.

The officers would be armed for security purposes, but their goal would be to work with students, faculty and staff to offer resources while advancing relationships among youth, according to the superintendent. District officials are aware of worries from some community members about having armed officers in the schools, Murley said.

“We had a citizen raise concerns about having an officer in crowded student hallways,” Murley said, after Tuesday night's school board meeting. “I think if you've been to Kinnick Stadium, we have officers in there, a crowded stadium, they're armed, I think the police are trained to deal with that.”

The officers would be funded by a grant, which the city council would need to agree to apply for by May 22. The topic will likely be discussed at the May 21 school board meeting.