Communications and school safety topped talks at the Cherokee Police Commission’s November meeting [Nov 10]. The majority of the open session saw the Commission host a conversation with EBCI Public Safety officials about the radio communications at the casino and in some areas on the reservation, following a recent hazardous material incident in which the fire department could not communicate on the sixth floor. Officials explained that the situation has to do with how and where the building was constructed and the new North Carolina building code prohibiting anything above 7,500 feet to be installed without the proper technology built into the structure.
The Commission welcomed Dr. Beverley Payne, Cherokee Central Schools assistant superintendent, and Brett Robertson, security network administrator to discuss updating safety protocols at the school. Both said that they are working with the Cherokee Indian Police Department to take steps in shooting protocol and ensuring the updated policies for the school’s student resource officers (SROs). The next meeting of the Police Commission is set for Dec. 14.