Resource officer approved

SPRINGDALE — The Police Department’s school resource officer team will grow by one after the City Council accepted a grant to pay for the addition.

The council unanimously accepted a grant Monday of a yet-to-be-determined amount allowing the Police Department to hire a school resource officer.

“We won’t have the exact amount (of the grant) until after the council approves it and we officially accept it,” said Lt. Derek Wright, public information officer for the Police Department.

Wright said his department applied for the grant earlier this year, but he doesn’t know exactly when.

The council praised Police Chief Mike Peters, who spoke at the meeting on behalf of the grant, and his department.

“I commend you for applying for these grants,” said Alderman Mike Overton.

Once the new school resource officer is hired, the grant will pay the officer’s salary the first year.

“The grant decreases each year through year 4,” Wright said. “Year 5 the Police Department must fund the position.”

The Police Department has 17 school resource officers, seven of which are paid for through a grant, Wright said. A school resource officer’s duties vary day-to-day, Wright said.

“Primarily it’s to connect with the students, be involved in the neighborhoods where their students live and to support community policing,” Wright said. “Obviously they are available to serve in a law enforcement capability, but their first duty is to promote community policing and build positive relationships in schools and in the community.”

The council also approved appointing Miguel Lopez to fill the vacancy left by T.A. Brewer on the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. Brewer, who served for a combined 20 years on the board, stepped down on Sept. 2 to care for his ailing wife.

Lopez is a customer service and Unilever team member for National Elite Transportation in Springdale. He was recommended by current board member Dusty Graham.