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ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Public Schools' board of education has voted to terminate its contract with the Atlanta Police Department as it takes steps toward creating its own police force.
Media outlets report that the board voted Monday to end the contract and produce a plan to hire its own school resource officers.
Deputy Superintendent David Jernigan says the resource officers will be armed, sworn officers, who will be specifically trained to deal with children.
The district recently received a $7.5 million grant from the National Institute of Justice, some of which will go toward starting the force.
In a statement, the City of Atlanta's office says the move isn't a responsible decision for responding to threats on campuses.
Atlanta Police Department Police Chief George Turner says the decision is in district leaders' hands.
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