Deputies to guard schools
17 have completed school resource officer training
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. » Approximately two dozen school shootings have occurred this year in the U.S. including one in Parkland, Fla., which claimed the lives of 17 students and staff on Feb. 14.
In response to such ongoing violence, many parents and school leaders contacted Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office about starting a program to put officers in schools on a full-time daily basis.
On Friday, 17 deputies completed School Resource Officer training and will be assigned to nine school districts throughout the county when classes resume in September.
“First, the highest priority is security for the building,” said Deputy Ken Cooper, program leader. “However, we will not be responsible for student discipline.”
Earlier this year, the Sheriff’s Office sent a letter to all school districts, soliciting interest to participate in the program. Eleven officers will be assigned to districts that have decided to take part including Ballston Spa, Burnt
Hills-Ballston Lake, Mechanicville, Schuylerville, Shenendehowa, Stillwater and South Glens Falls.
Six other officers will provide backup coverage and assist when extra personnel are needed for training or drills.
Because of their large size, Shenendehowa and Ballston Spa will have two officers apiece. Other districts will have one each.
School districts are responsible for 75 percent of the program’s costs, which includes salaries, benefits and equipment. The county will cover the other 25 percent. Deputies will be on hand when students arrive in the morning. Throughout the day, they’ll have a presence in hallways, cafeterias, gymnasiums and classrooms, where they’ll teach students things ranging from building lockdowns to drug prevention and awareness.
Informally, officers will also try to build positive relationships with students, which may help them deal with personal issues they might be facing.
“Sometimes it helps just to ask a kid, ‘How was your weekend?’ or ‘How’s your day going?’” Cooper said.
The program was first announced during a press conference in May.
“Our school resource officers will be able to talk to students about the dangers of substance abuse, drunk or distracted driving, social media and assist with conflict resolution,” Sheriff Michael Zurlo said at the time. “They will also serve as a mentor, role model and counselor. And should the unthinkable happen, our deputies are fully trained to protect students and neutralize any threat that may occur.”
The week-long School Resource Office course, taught by the Albany-based State of New York Juvenile Police Officers Association, was held in Washington County and included police from throughout the region including Glens Falls, Canton and Greene County.
Saratoga County Sheriff’s deputies comprised the largest contingent, Cooper said.
As program leader, he interviewed 25 deputies who expressed interest in the program. Deputies are also interviewed by school superintendents, principals, teachers and board of education members before being assigned to a district.
“We want to make sure it’s a good fit,” Cooper said. “The first year is going to be a learning experience. As we move forward, we’ll ask school districts what types of education they’d like officers to provide.”
The new School Resource Officers are currently working as road patrol deputies. These positions will be filled by recently sworn-in new deputies who are currently being trained at Zone 5 Law Enforcement Academy, in Schenectady.