Police officer assigned to Newark high

As part of its School Resource Officer program, the Newark Police Dept. will station Officer Ken Davis at the high school full time, beginning in May.

Davis will be stationed at the school for the remainder of the school year. His duties will eventually include more than patrolling the halls.

Police Chief Richard Bogan made the offer to let Davis be stationed at the high school and middle school. According to Bogan, his offer was considered by the district's administration and school board. Following their considerations, officials invited Officer Davis into the schools.

Like Investigator Gary VerStraete, who teaches the drug education DARE program to fifth and seventh graders in the district, Davis has completed training as a School Resource Officer.

The School Resource Officer is trained to:

• Work in collaboration with school and community-based organizations to address crime and disorder problems that occur in and around schools;
• Develop and expand crime-prevention efforts for students;
• Educate likely school age victims in crime prevention and safety;
• Enhance training in conflict resolution for students;
• Make suggestions on changes that could be made in the school environment to help reduce the potential for crime;
• Assist in developing school policy that addresses crime and recommends procedural changes.

Davis has been shadowing a School Resource Officer in another school district.

Police are working in conjunction with the school district to apply for federal Cops In School grant funding. This would pay the salary of another officer who would be hired to patrol the village in Davis's absence. But Officer Davis being in the schools is not contingent on the receipt of the grant.

In a village of roughly 9600 residents, about 2800 students and 520 staff members are at the district's five schools when they are open.

Principal Gary Grant says, 'Of course Officer Davis won't be functioning as a disciplinarian; that will be left to our administrators. But his presence, not only to enhance security, but also to educate staff and students, will be invaluable.'

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