Shakopee Police Department 2020 Annual Report

SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS

By Michael McLain, School Resource Officer

In 2020, the Shakopee Police Department and Shakopee School District continued their partnership to provide safety and security for the Shakopee Public Schools through our School Resource Officer program. These officers work in assigned schools during the school year and rotate to patrol duties during the summer. Officers Michael McLain and Travis Goerish are assigned to the Shakopee Senior High School; Officer Canon Christianson is assigned to Shakopee East Middle School; and Officer ChadWimmer is assigned to Shakopee West Middle School. School resource officers (SRO) are also assigned to the elementary, alternative and parochial schools. SROs perform various duties throughout the course of a school day. Their main role is the safety and prevention of any critical incident or criminal act within the schools. The majority of a school resource officer’s day consists of partnering with school administrators, teachers, school counselors, parents and students to help resolve issues, build positive relationships and provide a safe learning environment. SROs present information to students in a classroom setting on a variety of topics, such as drug and alcohol awareness, internet safety, bullying, constitutional law, domestic assault, theft and child safety. Presentations are provided for all age ranges beginning at the preschool level through 12th grade, along with parent groups at the Pearson Early Learning Center and PTO groups. Ultimately, the most important role an SRO has is fostering positive relationships with students. It is important the students understand that the SRO is a resource available to them during their time as a student and beyond. An SRO’s goal is to build a strong foundation that students will carry on throughout their lives as productive members of society.

School Resource Officer Christianson supporting distance learning by dropping off math books to Shakopee East Middle School students during COVID-19 closures.

2020 was a roller coaster for SROs as our responsibilities changed with the needs of the school. The end of the 2019-2020 school year sadly was not in person. Our roles changed, SROs assisted with the patrol division, investigations division and even the proactive policing unit (PPU). Even with changing times, the SROs were able to assist the school with welfare checks, handing out meals and meeting with students and talking about law enforcement via Zoom meetings. SROs rolled with the punches during COVID but remained a constant resource for students and staff in Shakopee.

In the Schools | 17