Fouke Public School District to Add Canine Officer for School Safety Measures

Miller County Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Potter Barrett is entering her second year in partnership with Fouke Public School District to implement unprecedented school safety measures in south Miller County.

According to a press release, the partnership between Mrs. Barrett’s office and the school district came about as school administration sought to modify the traditional model of school security - which involved articulation agreements between the school and the Miller County Sheriff’s office - and move toward a model that gave the school district more autonomy to create a school safety structure that better met its needs.

Upgrades in campus security include district-wide high definition surveillance cameras with remote access capability, district-wide access control system on school doors, and the implementation and training of school crisis teams.  The district School Resource Officer, Jeremy McClure operates with the jurisdiction afforded the Miller County Prosecuting Attorney’s office and provides a daily presence on school campuses and at school sponsored events.

“I am very pleased with the ongoing improvements in campus security that we have been able to accomplish in the Fouke School District,” Barrett stated.

Through this partnership, the Fouke School Safety Team was able to purchase a narcotic detection canine named Major.  Officer McClure has become certified through the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy to be a canine handler to work Major at the school and school sponsored events.  The recently adopted student drug testing policy will require all students involved in extracurricular activities as well as those who drive to school, to pass a mandatory drug screening. The Fouke School District is making great strides toward creating a safer educational environment that deters students from using and/or selling illegal drugs on campus.

On Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at 10:30AM, Fouke School District and Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Barrett will present the Fouke School District's new canine officer, Major at the Fouke School.