Put the right police officers in schools

I worked for almost 30 years in public schools in different roles as an educator.

I believe that police in schools can be a very positive arrangement under certain circumstances and conditions. In my experience, I saw officers request to be assigned to schools who wanted to be there to support students, teachers, counselors and administrators, protect staff and students, and work with students to help them in a variety of ways. These officers were open to new ideas and knew the value of creating positive relationships.

I also saw officers who were assigned to schools for reasons unknown and who apparently wanted to be anywhere but the educational setting. These officers barely tolerated school staff, and most days stayed in their offices. This latter group, who seemed unhappy to be in the school setting may have been very happy to work elsewhere in the community, performing a different aspect of law enforcement. It almost seemed like their assignment to the school was some sort of punishment doled out by their supervisors.

So I believe it is imperative for the officers' sake and for the sake of the entire school community to interview, hire and train those committed law enforcement professionals who want to be in the education setting. In this way, the most positive aspects of law enforcement are allowed to shine.

Tim Tessen

St. Charles