Walker County Schools face uncertainty over SRO Program following indictment

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June 13, 2025

The first Walker County School Board meeting since Sheriff Nick Smith was indicted for hiring unqualified SROs to guard schools took place this week. According to a report by WBRC, a grand jury recommended that the school system revise its policies and verify that SROs meet state certification requirements. However, the matter was not addressed during the board’s regular meeting.

Records show that at least four deputies from the Walker County Sheriff’s Office served in SRO roles without meeting the standards of the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC). While WBRC obtained a copy of the contract between the school system and the sheriff’s department, the document reportedly does not explicitly require SROs to be certified.

The school system currently spends approximately $400,000 annually on its SRO program, according to APOSTC Chief Alan Benefield. Superintendent Dr. Dennis Willingham, who has been subpoenaed in connection with the ongoing federal investigation into the sheriff’s office, declined to comment on the case, citing instructions from the grand jury. He reiterated the district’s commitment to student safety in an interview with WBRC.

The revelations have raised concerns among teachers, including some who discovered that uncertified deputies had been assigned to their schools. One local educator, who also serves as a city mayor, told WBRC the situation left him feeling misled and worried about the adequacy of campus protection throughout the school year.

With summer programs currently underway and school campuses still active, attention has shifted to what steps the school board might take next. A special meeting has been scheduled for June 30 to discuss personnel issues, though it remains unclear whether changes to the SRO program will be on the agenda. The timeline for reviewing and updating district policies also has yet to be announced.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.

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