To protect and serve schools

Gateway School District guards its campuses with an armed security force

It’s still dark outside when Officer Steve Suranovich pulls up to Moss Side Middle School in Monroeville.

He arrives before most teachers and students, passing the visitor check-in machine, his bagged lunch in hand.

The empty hallways are as hushed as they will be all day, but buses will arrive within the half-hour.

Officer Suranovich stops by his office before making the first of several rounds of security checks during his seven-hour shift. Posters espousing good choices and warning of the dangers of bullying adorn the room, across the hall from the principal’s office.

One reads: In school, just like the real world, you have freedom of choice, but no freedom of consequence.

But if everything goes right, Officer Suranovich sees his role as less of a disciplinarian and more of a bridge-builder with students, a friendly face to keep the school safe and create positive relationships with youngsters and their parents in the fifth- and sixth-grade school.

For many of them, he knows he will likely be their first interaction with law enforcement.

“I try to develop a rapport with the students, get to know them on a first-name basis,” said Officer Suranovich, better known as “Officer Steve” at Moss Side. “You try to make them feel comfortable coming up and approaching you, just talking about everyday life.”

He is one of 15 armed school resource officers in the Gateway School District, which serves Monroeville and Pitcairn. Just over a year ago, the district got court

‘I try to develop a rapport with the students, get to know them on a first-name basis.’ — Steve Suranovich, school resource officer

Jessie Wardarski/Post-Gazette Gateway School District Police Officer Steve Suranovich walks the hallway as classes change Thursday morning at Moss Side Middle School in Monroeville. Officer Suranovich is a full-time police officer and works part time at the middle school.