Picture this. Your school goes into a hard lockdown due to a robbery just a block away and the police have not yet found the suspect. Could he be heading for the school? Well if he was, schools that have resource officers might feel more safe, because there’s a trained, in-school police officer ready to protect the students and staff.
Resource officers are essential for the safety of students, teachers and other personnel in the building. A resource officer is an on duty police officer who stays in the district at all times students are in school or at events. Many dangerous things could occur at public school events, but many of these can be prevented or put to an end if a resource officer is present. The high school has a resource officer, Deputy Mike Allen of the Kent County Police Department.
“I work all the afterschool activities, such as the varsity football games, varsity boys and girls, basketball, all the dances, and I also handle graduations,” Allen said.
In order to be a high quality school resource officer, it is important to build strong relationships with students because they need someone they can confide in and trust. Therefore, Allen not only serves as a protective safety figure in the school, but is also there for students and staff mentally.
“The main goal of school resource officers is maintaining security, but building those relationships with students is essential as well,” Allen said.
Resource officers assist teachers as well as students. Mark Thomas is the head principal of the high school, and interacts with Allen on a daily basis. Allen is described as kind, easy to talk to, and always happy to help by both staff and students.
“Allen offers a sense [of safety because] we have someone here who we know that’s a good guy in case we need him. I think that makes a difference for students and staff,” Thomas said.
Students feeling secure in school is an essential part of their everyday learning. If a student does not feel safe at school, it may be harder for them to learn, pay attention or trust people at the school. The same can be said for teachers, they may not be able to do their job if they are always worrying about what could happen throughout the day. Northview is lucky to have an officer like Allen as our resource officer.
Allen and other resource officers are greatly appreciated and needed by schools. They help keep schools safe, help with mental health, and make students feel more comfortable in their daily school experience.
Allen works diligently on his daily priorities. He walks around the school making sure the halls are safe, and works on cases on his computer as seen in the picture above. Photo credit to Morgan Velzen.
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