by Hanna Singh
Lincoln Parish recently celebrated National Safety Resource Officer Day on February 15th, by thanking the 14 officers at Lincoln Parish schools for all the good work they do.
Outside of just protecting the schools, these officers dedicate their time to building relationships with students and staff, providing a positive effect on the schools they serve. Their presence at Lincoln Parish Schools has allowed students the opportunity to interact with law enforcement in a positive environment and make connections with those who serve and protect their communities.
Lincoln Parish Chief Deputy Landon Hunt expressed his appreciation for the dedicated work of the School Resource Officers (SROs) and highlighted how their presence in schools benefits students.
“We are so grateful for the hard work they put in every day at the schools,” Hunt said. “They take pride in their work and serving the schools, and that really shows. When those kids come to school and meet the deputy who is there, it gives the child an opportunity to build a relationship with an officer and see that we are here to help.”
Each school is assigned one or two SROs to provide safety and protection for the staff and students throughout the day. However, many of the officers have expressed that their job goes beyond just safety. For the two SROs at Ruston High School, building relationships with students and staff members has made them feel at home in their positions.
Ruston High School resource officer Tommy Gallagher shared how this aspect of the job is beneficial to him and the students.
“I feel that building relationships with kids is one of the most important things an SRO can do. Having a working relationship with the kids has allowed them to come to me with their problems,” Gallagher said. “A lot of the time, we can work through the problem so that it doesn’t become a serious issue later on.”
The relationships formed between officers and students often go beyond school years, with students keeping in touch with their SROs after graduation. Ruston High School safety resource officer Donte Powell explained how these connections have lasted over the years for him.
“I’ve enjoyed the relationships I’ve built over the years and the impact that I’ve had on kids that will last a lifetime,” Powell said. “It’s fun watching the kids grow over the years and become adults now and do great things. They keep me updated often.”
The dedicated work of SROs in Lincoln Parish has provided students with personal experiences with how law enforcement officers serve their communities in positive ways. By watching officers solve problems and provide safety in their schools, students learn that officers are there to help, protect and serve. The SROs build a foundation of trust with students along with their families, and the faculty and staff at each school.
Ruston High School Principal Dan Gressett emphasized the important role SROs play at Ruston High and the other schools.
“We consider them part of our administrative team. I know they are here for safety purposes, but we treat them as one of ours. They are really great at forming relationships with kids,” Gressett said. “You see them out in the halls as much as the teachers and staff, shaking hands and talking with the kids. They have definitely had such a positive effect on the school environment. Teachers all know them by name and aren’t afraid to come to them with any problems or concerns.”
Lincoln Parish is fortunate to have SROs who go beyond their duties, ensuring that schools are protected while also serving as friends and role models for students and staff. Their dedicated work does not go unnoticed by the Lincoln Parish school community.
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The Lincoln Parish Journal salutes our SRO’s who protect the students, teachers, administrators and support staff of our area schools. Thank you!
Here are the brave men and women who serve as SRO’s in our Lincoln Parish Schools:
Sgt. Tommy Gallagher: Ruston High School / Ruston Jr. High
Sgt. Donte Powell: Ruston High School / Ruston Jr. High
Dy. Brian King: Choudrant High / Choudrant Elementary
Mark Denton: Choudrant High / Choudrant Elementary
Justin Blondin: Ruston High School
Randy Gay: Lincoln Parish Early Childhood Center
Gerald Jenkins: Ruston Elementary School
Jamie Franklin: Hillcrest Elementary School
Gary Brazzel: Cypress Springs Elementary School
Edward Faile: Cedar Creek School
Gavin Mitchell: Simsboro High School
Chip Pickett: Dubach Elementary School
Eldred Hardison: Glenview Elementary
Will Sullivan: I.A. Lewis
Garret Madden: Roving
