Fate of Granite police is still undecided

The Granite Board of Education still questions whether local police agencies could protect schools just as well as officers from the Granite Police Department.

The board made no decisions after taking the sometimes-heated comments from local officials Tuesday night. But members have a list of options, including creating a hybrid Granite police/private security force, to examine between now and the late May board meeting.

The Granite Police Department is a full-fledged police department, complete with around-the-clock dispatchers and patrols. But it says it focuses on school issues, setting it apart from local police agencies.

It's the only district police force in the state and costs about $1.4 million a year. The district also contracts with several local law enforcement agencies to place 17 officers in its schools.

Recent controversy has raised a question: Should the officers stay, and if so, within what parameters?

In January, a 25-year veteran officer was charged with aggravated assault in the alleged shooting of a burglary suspect following a high-speed chase in Salt Lake City, which is outside district boundaries.

A bill subsequently emerged in the Legislature, threatening to abolish school district police forces. The legislation was reduced to an interim study, which will touch on whether district police jobs should extend outside of schools.

But Granite police are unsure of the department's future and want the board to voice its intent.