Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
KENNETT SQUARE HONORS BOYER
Says students taught him life lessons
KENNETT SQUARE >> February 15 is National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day.
In recognition of his invaluable contribution to the community, the borough is honoring School Resource Officer J.D. Boyer of the Kennett Square Police Department.
Stationed at Kennett High School and Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center, Boyer has served as the community’s School Resource Officer (SRO) since 2016.
“Our decision to recognize Officer Boyer is yet another opportunity to highlight the invaluable work he does for our community,” said Kennett Square Chief of Police William Holdsworth on Tuesday.
Just last week, Kennett Square named Boyer the 2022 Officer of the Year during a special ceremony at the Borough Council meeting on February 8.
“The importance of having an officer such as J.D. in the school is so highly beneficial in multiple ways,” the chief said.
“The security of an armed officer is just one piece which helps address some of the unknowns in today’s world,” he continued.
Further, “the real value comes from the interaction and mentorship he provides for
our students,” Holdsworth said. “The relationship building that occurs with our youth and this connection to policing is just absolutely incredible.”
The chief said he is truly proud, and admires Boyer for the dedication and care that he puts into his job as the community’s SRO and for everything he does for the Kennett Square Police Department.
“We are proud of the great work that Officer Boyer has done and look forward to the collaborative partnership we have formed with the Kennett Consolidated School District,” Holdsworth stated.
“What inspires me the most is the ability to connect with our youth and to show the human side of policing as well
as the professional side,” Boyer said. There’s an ability to relate to Kennett’s students on all levels, he added.
For Boyer, dreams come true. He’s living his dream right here in Kennett Square as a law enforcement officer serving and ensuring — protecting — students while they are learning together in school five days a week.
“I chose to become a police officer because of a childhood dream, remembering watching westerns with my grandfather and admiring the ‘Sheriff.’ I first went into social work and through my experience with law enforcement I realized that I could do both as law enforcement encompasses both fields.”
Boyer’s hometown is West Chester.
“The students have taught me a lot of life lessons,” he said of the youth in Kennett. “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
Boyer said this is purely the best role and being an SRO is a complete fulfillment thanks to the opportunity to work side by side with the next generation of American society.
“Being able to help shape them to be the best that they can be and helping them achieve greatness,” Boyer said, “because each student is great.”
School Resource Officers fill a three-part role, serving as informal mentors or counselors, law educators and law enforcement officers to support the students and communities they serve, according to CrimeWatch. School Resource Officers are valuable and essential members of the education community who deserve unwavering respect and support from the public while keeping schools and students safe. Thus, Boyer’s assignment here in Kennett Square is unique within the law enforcement profession.
The National Association of School Resource Officers and the Kennett Square Police Department together have recognized the valuable work of Officer J.D. Boyer as part of National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day — February 15.