Francis, Richard
School Safety

No greater challenge exists today than creating safe schools or restoring schools to tranquil and safe places of learning. The challenge requires a major strategic commitment and involves placing school safety at the top of the educational agenda. This presentation will provide attendees with best practices to help secure their schools. Topics include: School safety package, school hardening, what products work, emergency operations plans / all-hazard approach, school resource officers, best practices, lessons learned from prior school shooting incidents, trends in school safety, understanding the threat, and threat assessments.

No one wants to see or hear about any school-related tragic event. School administrators and law enforcement would prefer to prevent all school-related crimes and ensure a safe learning environment each day. On each school day, we are responsible for the most vulnerable people in our schools. The reality is there are so many things outside the control of the school administrators and our school resource officers that such a task is virtually impossible. To attempt to predict the disruptive behavior of a student, a staff member, an intruder or a terrorist is unrealistic. However, individuals responsible for K-12 schools can take actions to prepare for a crisis, avoid a crisis, preclude successive crises, and now, equally important, to lead the healing process following a crisis.

Education is a federal concern, a state concern, and a local responsibility. Assigning such responsibility to parents, students, educators, law enforcement and other citizens closest to the need for schooling is both appropriate and demanding. A safe school is foundational to the success of the academic mission. What is a safe school? A safe school is a place where students can learn, and teachers can teach in a welcoming environment, free of intimidation and fear. It is a setting where the educational climate fosters a spirit of acceptance and care for all student, where behavior expectations are clearly communicated, consistently enforced, and fairly applied. A safe school is also one that is prepared to respond to the unthinkable crisis.

Richard Francis - Bio
Chief Rick Francis began his career in the United States Navy, serving as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and combat medic before continuing his service in the Army Reserves as a flight medic. Following his military service, he spent several years in corporate leadership, most recently as Vice President of Operations for a Fortune 100 financial services company. Despite his corporate success, Chief Francis felt called to return to public service. He joined the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in November 2007. Today, Chief Francis leads the Department of School Safety and Security, overseeing the safety and protection of 70 public and charter schools serving approximately 65,000 students and 10,000 staff members. He directs nearly 300 dedicated professionals who support school safety efforts throughout Seminole County. Recognized as a national leader in school safety and security, Chief Francis developed Seminole County’s comprehensive school safety model, which has become a framework for districts across the state and nation. He has extensively studied prior school shooting incidents, helped avert potential threats, and applied critical lessons learned to strengthen prevention, preparedness, and response strategies. Drawing on his diverse background — military medicine, executive management, tactical operations, law enforcement, emergency management, education, and K–12 administration — he approaches school safety through a multi-disciplinary lens. He is deeply committed to protecting the community’s most vulnerable. Throughout his tenure with the Sheriff’s Office, Chief Francis served in patrol and major crimes investigations before being promoted to Patrol Sergeant and later assigned to the Domestic Security Unit. In April 2014, he was promoted to Lieutenant, serving as Watch Commander and later in Specialized Services. In July 2016, he was promoted to Captain of the School Safety Division, where he spearheaded the creation of the agency’s current school safety model. From February 2021 through August 2023, he led the Professional Development Division, overseeing Training and Career Development. He has also served as a SWAT team member and team leader, as well as a High-Risk Incident Commander. In addition to his operational leadership, Chief Francis serves as an adjunct professor of Criminal Justice at Seminole State College and teaches school safety and security nationwide for the National Tactical Officers Association. He is a trusted advisor to policymakers and public safety leaders, having served as a subject-matter expert to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Florida School Safety Specialist Program. He has presented before legislative bodies in Florida, Texas, and California, as well as state Boards of Education. Chief Francis is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Class 284) and has completed numerous executive leadership programs, including West Point’s Authentic & Deliberate Leadership Program, the Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Command Leadership Institute, the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute Chief Executive Seminar, the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute for Police, the Southern Police Institute Command Officer Development Course, and Leadership Seminole. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the National Sheriffs’ Association School Safety Committee, an Executive Board Member of NAMI Florida and the Coalition of School Safety Directors, and a member of the National Council of School Safety Directors. He has also served on numerous boards and task forces focused on school health, youth development, opioid prevention, domestic security, and statewide school safety initiatives. Chief Francis holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice with honors, a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Virginia, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Administration with honors. He is a member of the Delta Epsilon Tau Honor Society.