Baltimore County school resource officers to use metal detection wands

In an effort to reduce incidents of school violence and to promote public safety, Baltimore County Police Chief, James Johnson, has okayed the use of metal detecting wands by public school resource officers. Officers assigned to middle and high schools in Baltimore County have been trained to use their new wands, and will be ready to implement their use in school safety concerns beginning Thursday.

The measure comes after several violent incidents involving guns in local schools. Chief Johnson emphasizes that the wands will not be used for random screening, but only in cases where there is reason to believe a student or visiter is carrying a weapon.