MEDIA RELEASE
Submitted by Ray Poole
Nassau County School District
July 6, 2018 6:51 a.m.
In the aftermath of the Parkland tragedy, the Florida Legislature enacted legislation that requires each school district in Florida to designate a School Safety Specialist to oversee all school safety and security personnel, policies, and procedures within the school district. Additionally, the School Safety Specialist is responsible for serving as a liaison with local public safety agencies and national, state, and community agencies and organizations in matters of school safety and security; conducting an annual school security risk assessment at each public school; reviewing policies and procedures of the school district for compliance with state law concerning school safety; providing training to students and school district staff; and, providing annual recommendations concerning strategies and activities to improve school safety and security.
At its meeting on Thursday, June 28, the Nassau County School Board voted to hire Detective Alfred “Al” Smith to serve as School Safety Specialist for the Nassau County School District. Detective Smith is a twenty-seven year veteran of the Fernandina Beach Police Department and has experience in multiple areas of law enforcement, including having worked as a Forensic Crime Scene Investigator, SWAT / Tactical Team Member, manager of the Property and Evidence Department for the Police Department, in undercover drug operations, and as a School Resource Officer at Fernandina Beach schools. During his career in law enforcement, Detective Smith has received extensive training in active shooter response, identification of mental health crises, and first responder / traumatic injury.