The Butler School Board have agreed to convert its staff of 20 school police officers into a Municipal School Police Force.

BUTLER TWP — The Butler School Board has agreed to convert its staff of 20 school police officers into a municipal school police force.

Superintendent Brian White said the existing officers, who are retired state police troopers, would comprise the police force and no additional hiring is planned.

He said policy revisions to specify the role of the police force in the district are needed.

“They are not meant to be a disciplinarian (force) in the school. They provide physical safety and building security,” White said. “They currently carry a firearm. We feel they should (also) be carrying a nonlethal weapon.”

He said the exact type of nonlethal weapons the officers will carry hasn't been determined.

Read more in the Butler Eagle.