(INDIANAPOLIS) – A director has been announced for Indiana’s newly established Office of School Safety.

Governor Mike Braun announced Tuesday that Julie Smith, a 20 year veteran of the Columbus Police Department, will head the department.

Braun says it’s important to take a proactive approach to school safety, which is something he believes this office and Smith’s leadership will help in Indiana.

Smith recently retired from the Columbus Police Department at the rank of Sergeant, and oversaw the School Resource Officer Division for the city. She served as a school resource officer and as a supervisor. Smith is also President of the Indiana School Resource Officer’s Association and Regional Director for the National School Resources Officer’s Association.

The Indiana Office of School Safety was a talking point for Braun during last year’s election and since being sworn in. This newly established office aims to bring all of Indiana’s school safety efforts into one team, giving school districts the tools they need to keep everyone safe.