NPS hosts intervention training

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Norfolk Public Schools is training more than 100 staff members, including security officers and assistant principals, in non-violent intervention techniques for students on Friday.

The training is the first in a series aimed at ensuring that all staff members who have contact with students know strategies for avoiding negative confrontations with students, a news release from the school system said.

The school system has positive behavior programs in many schools and is studying how to roll the programs out division wide beginning in the 2012-2013 school year.

"We believe that we have a very committed and well-trained staff who create relationships with our students that encourage and foster positive behaviors in schools," Interim Superintendent Michael Spencer said.

School Security Officer Carlton Salmond has been on the job for 13 years. As a Norfolk Public Schools security officer, he has handcuffs and pepper spray on him at all times.

"It's there but I've never grabbed for it or reached for it," Salmond said. 

Salmond explained as a part of his training, he had to get sprayed.

"It burns. It burns your skin, it burns your eyes and it roughly takes, depending on the individual, an hour to an hour and a half maybe two until it's completely out of your eyes," Salmond said.

He credits that experience as the reason he has kept from using pepper spray on any student, but he added his stature helps him, where as other smaller security officers might not be able to de-escalate a situation without it.

Spencer said the school division is committed to efforts to maintain safe and secure schools.

Training was conducted by 10 Norfolk Public Schools staff members who were certified earlier this month in crisis prevention and intervention techniques.