Hamilton County, TN –-On Monday, March 7, 2016, Sheriff Jim Hammond and members of the HCSO and the Hamilton County Department of Education conducted the 4th HCSO LAWS Program at Hixson High School.

The Sheriff's LAWS Program stands for "Law Enforcement Actively Working in Schools" and is a new initiative created by Sheriff Jim Hammond to increase law enforcement's presence in our local schools in cooperation with the many programs already underway as part of the HCSO School Resource Officer (SRO) Program.

During the event, students participated in a mock traffic stop and got to don a gun belt and bullet proof vest as they learned how deputies properly and safely pull over vehicles that are speeding or suspicious in nature. They also were able to see and hold of the new gears available to law enforcement such as the new handheld ballistic shields for officers to use to cover their heads during traffic stops and other scenarios.

Topics included the history of the Sheriff's Office, how Sheriff's historically came to be in the United States, what Sheriff's offices are responsible for, and various discussions over what to do if you are pulled over, and issues young people may have to deal with as they pertain to law enforcement. The program concluded with Sheriff Hammond and several other law enforcement personnel touring the school and speaking with school administrators.

This makes the 4th school Sheriff Hammond has spoken to since the program was initiated earlier this year at Red Bank High School. The next scheduled school program is set for Monday, March 21, 2016 at Lookout Valley High School.