Bradley puts deputies at 2 high schools

Two Bradley County deputies have been assigned to security at Bradley Central and Walker Valley high schools, the sheriff’s office said in a news release Friday.

Communications Director James E. Bradford Jr. said in the release that Sheriff Eric Watson assigned the deputies after discussions with schools superintendent Linda Cash, following school shootings around the nation and local threats.

Bradford said the deputies are assigned to security booths so they can monitor who comes and goes during school hours.

Watson said in the release: “It is my belief a strong presence of trained law enforcement at schools is one of the essential elements to deter a school shooting.”

The release said four SRO positions have been added in the last four years, and each of the 16 schools in the Bradley County system has a resource officer.