Resource officers with Memphis-Shelby County Schools walked out of an introductory meeting with the district’s new safety director Monday morning, Aug. 12, according to two MSCS board members.

That action follows a threatened walkout by school resource officers for this week’s football jamboree games over issues relating to pay and officer safety, among other concerns.

Monday’s walkout came as George Harris was introduced as MSCS’ executive director of safety and security. Harris will oversee the 125 or so school resource officers charged with keeping MSCS facilities and events safe. It’s uncertain how many officers attended or walked out of the meeting in the MSCS auditorium at 160 S. Hollywood St. 

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MSCS officials did not respond to media requests to discuss the incident or the concerns of the SROs. However, MSCS board chairman Althea Greene and board member Stephanie Love were both made aware of Monday’s walkout.

“I wasn’t in that meeting, so I don’t know what was said. But it was concerning that it was not a favorable first meeting,” Greene said.

This is the latest step in the ongoing dispute between SROs and MSCS officials over several topics, including pay increases, officer safety and the need for additional officers. The MSCS board plans to discuss this dispute at its 3 p.m. committee meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

Last week, the SRO group purportedly sent a letter asking fellow SROs not to report for duty later this week to oversee security at the jamborees that will kick off the new season. The Daily Memphian obtained an unsigned copy of the letter.