City of Dickson to Continue Providing 11 School Resource Officers

Dickson, TN — The City of Dickson will continue providing 11 school resource officers to schools within the city during the 2026–27 school year under an agreement approved by the Dickson City Council.

The council approved Resolution 2026-46 during its July 6, 2026 meeting, authorizing the mayor to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Dickson County Board of Education.

Under the agreement, the Dickson Police Department will assign one supervisor and 10 school resource officers to city schools. The arrangement continues the same program the city and school system operated during the previous school year.

The Dickson County School Board will not be charged for the officers.

City Administrator Dave Travis told council members the city expects to receive approximately $450,000 in state reimbursement to help offset the expense. However, the city will remain responsible for the portion of the program’s cost not covered by state funding.

“We do get some reimbursement—about $450,000—from the state,” Travis said. “Last year, we decided we would carry that burden of cost for all those officers in the city schools.”

The city’s total cost for the program and its expected expense after applying the state reimbursement were not presented during the meeting.

School resource officers are sworn law enforcement personnel assigned to campuses. Their duties can include responding to emergencies, assisting with school safety plans, investigating potential criminal activity and building relationships with students and school employees.

The officers also provide a regular law enforcement presence on campuses as school districts across Tennessee continue reviewing security procedures and emergency preparedness.

The agreement involves schools located within Dickson’s municipal boundaries rather than every school operated by Dickson County Schools. Other law-enforcement agencies provide coverage in areas outside the city.

Council members did not raise any questions or objections during the discussion. The resolution was approved.

Travis recommended continuing the partnership, telling the council that the city wanted to maintain its relationship with the School Board.

The agreement covers the full 2026–27 school year.