It's time to talk gun control, Miami-Dade superintendent says after Oregon mass shooting

School police chief says officers ready for any kind of situation

MIAMI ā€“ Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho is hoping the deadly shooting rampage at an Oregon college will lead to serious conversations about gun control.

"We come together after, yet again, an episode of incredible violence," said Carvalho, who spoke Friday morning at a swearing-in ceremony honoring eight new school police officers. Ā 

"It's time in America, at the very least, to have a conversation about gun policy," Carvalho said. "At the very least, we needĀ to discuss the issue. At the very least, those who refuse to take action on these matters should have to read the names and stare into the faces of those who are killed in schools, colleges and universities."

Carvalho was joined by a handful of administrators and police officers, including Miami-Dade Schools Police Department Chief Ian Moffett.

"As chief of police, I think about that every day," Moffett said when asked about what happened in Oregon. "Communication is key. As officers, educators, friends and family, it's our responsibility to communicate with our kids and find out if something is wrong."

Moffett said most of his officers have a military background. He also added that he and his officers are always staying vigilant, making sure they're ready for any kind of situation.

"We have the technology and the officers to protect our kids," he said.

Local 10 News spoke with some of the officers after the ceremony. They said they're disturbed by what unfolded in Oregon, but expressed eagerness to serve and protect the fourth-largest school district in the nation.

Follow Michael Seiden on Twitter @SeidenLocal10

Follow Local 10 News on Twitter @WPLGLocal10

Full Screen
1 / 10

Classes resumed at Oregon Umpqua Community College days after nine people were killed by a gunman in a mass shooting on Oct. 1.