INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has appointed the state's first-ever director of the Office of School Safety.

Sgt. Julie Smith, with the Columbus Police Department, was introduced as the director on Aug. 12. She has previously worked as a school resource officer for Bartholomew County Schools.

Smith also works as an instructor for the National Association of School Resource Officers and the regional director for the Midwest, and the president of the Indiana School Resource Officers Association.

"I've dedicated my career to keeping students safe," Smith said in a statement. "It's an honor to put my experience to work strengthening Indiana schools and communities as the director of the Office of School Safety.

"School safety isn't just a career for me — it's a passion, and it's so

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