The police chief for Martin County schools was arrested on DUI charges Wednesday evening, according to reports from local law enforcement.
The arrest of the district's top school safety official raises questions about leadership within the Martin County School District's police department. School police chiefs oversee security operations across all campuses in the district, including Stuart, Jensen Beach, Palm City, and Hobe Sound area schools.
The Martin County School District employs its own police force separate from the Martin County Sheriff's Office to provide security at elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the county. The department is responsible for protecting students and staff across dozens of campuses.
The arrest comes during a time when school safety remains a priority for parents and administrators across Florida. The school district has not yet announced whether the police chief will remain in his position or what interim leadership arrangements might be put in place.