An accidental discharge of a firearm by a constable occurred Tuesday at Evelyn I. Morris Early Childhood Center
by Jarek Rutz
A gun was accidentally fired by a school constable in Milford School District Tuesday. School constables are officers whose authority falls somewhere between a security guard and a police officer. They are armed with guns and handcuffs, but can’t make official arrests.
No one was hurt, and the firearm was discharged in a private staff workroom at Evelyn I. Morris Early Childhood Center, according to Milford Police Department, in the afternoon. Because the incident was outside of the city limits of Milford, it is being investigated by Delaware State Police.
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“While there were no injuries and no threat to the safety or security of our school, staff, or students, we are deeply concerned by this event,” the district said in a statement. “This incident did not impact our instructional areas with access to staff and students; however, we feel a responsibility to be transparent with our school community.”
The sole difference between constables and school resource officers is that resource officers can make arrests.
Constables, however, can detain students or others on school property for up to two hours. After that, a student must be released or transferred to an officer who can make an arrest or press charges.
A district chooses the duties a constable will have, but they typically monitor cameras, patrol buildings inside and out, check doors, interact with students, and train teachers on school safety initiatives.
“While we understand this is concerning, please be assured that our constable staff receive thorough ongoing certification and training regularly,” Milford’s statement read. “We are working closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate this isolated incident thoroughly and to ensure all necessary safety measures are in place and followed with fidelity.”
This is an ongoing personnel investigation conducted by the Delaware State Police, and no additional details can be shared at this time. Efforts to reach Delaware State Police were unsuccessful. Milford Police Department stated that DSP is investigating.
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