Farmington Schools Hires first Armed Campus Safety Monitor

Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 7:48 PM

Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe administering the oath to new Armed Campus Safety Officer James Roberts

The FMS Board of Education authorized school security personnel to carry firearms on school premises during their January 9, 2024, meeting. The move paved the way for the hiring of Armed Campus Safety Monitors (ACSMs), former certified law enforcement officers tasked with providing an additional layer of protection for students and staff during emergencies.

From Farmington Schools:

Monday, April 1, 2024

On Monday, April 1, 2024, Mr. James Roberts was officially sworn in by Chief Steve Hebbe of the Farmington Police Department as the first FMS armed campus safety monitor.

Mr. Roberts comes with a lot of experience in keeping people safe, with more than 20 years in law enforcement, working with both the Bloomfield Police Department and the San Juan County Sheriff's Office. His expertise includes certifications as a Drugs Recognition Examiner, SWAT, and Field Training Officer before he retired as a Sergeant in the Patrol Division. Mr. Roberts has also spent three years as a Campus Safety Monitor for the Farmington Municipal Schools, so he knows our schools well.

“I’m excited to start a new chapter and I’m looking forward to this opportunity. It will be great to work in collaboration with the Farmington Police Department to ensure the safety of students and staff at Farmington Municipal Schools,” said Mr. James Roberts.

“One of the district’s most important goals is to make sure we are providing a safe environment for students and staff, and this new program will do precisely that. The efforts of our Safety Department and our collaborative work with local law enforcement agencies create a more connected community and a safer one for all,” said Superintendent Cody Diehl.

ACSMs, after passing rigorous evaluations and specialized training, will have the authority to enforce misdemeanor crimes, temporarily detain individuals for violent offenses, and conduct searches on people and property on our campuses. This decision followed more than nine months of discussions with partners at the Farmington Police Department and consultations with other school districts, and risk management group Poms and Associates.

Mr. Roberts will be getting extra training over the summer from the Farmington Police Department to prepare for his new role. He'll be working at Piedra Vista High School starting in August, making sure it's a safer place for everyone.

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