Township & School District Add Second School Resource Officer
A second school resource officer covering Anderson’s 10 school campuses has been added for the school year. Township and school officials are working together to fund plans for expanding the safety program to include the new officer. When will that officer start?
Anderson has historically funded this specialized officer since it launched the resource officer pilot program 22 years ago. Funding covers the cost of the officer plus vehicle, equipment and transportation expenses. The township will cover the vehicle, transportation expenses and equipment for the second officer, while the schools will cover the cost of the officer.
Anderson Township contracts for its police services through the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, including these specialized positions. “We are thrilled to support this second school resource officer, who serves as an overall role model, mentor, law enforcement professional and emergency manager in our schools,” said Administrator Vicky Earhart. “This program is of utmost importance in helping keep our kids safe at school.”
Lt. Dave Downing, commander of the District 5 sheriff’s office, noted, “I am very excited for the new school resource officer.
It has been impossible for one officer to give adequate attention to all of the schools in the district.”