Armed school security guards being trained in Volusia County

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Students go back to school in just about a month and there will be some people there to protect them in the classroom now in Volusia County. 

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office is training 50 people to look after the county's elementary school kids. Monday was the first day of class for the school district's new armed school security guards. 

Frank Hayward, a school guardian, says that "I think it's a great privilege, and we love the sheriff's office, they're doing a great job training us well. I think we'll be something that Volusia County can be proud of."

Every candidate has a background in law enforcement or the military. It was the number one quality officials looked for during the hiring process.

Hayward also said that "We've got a whole room full of fellas I think that are pre-qualified. And we're getting even more qualified with all of the training the sheriff's office is giving us. It probably took 30 hours or more to fill out all of the paperwork."

The security guards have been hired as part of the state response to the school shooting in Parkland. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood says most of the work will be done on the gun range, but there is also diversity training, active shooter drills, and the study of law. 

Despite their backgrounds, the security guards will not have any law enforcement responsibilities. 

Sheriff Mike Chitwood says that "the question is: Is their personality going to fit in the elementary school? And I'm hoping that when they get into the school, they become part of the social fabric."

As they complete the training, the security guards are also undergoing background checks and psychological exams.