Shakopee Police Department 2021 Annual Report

2021 ANNUAL REPORT | POLICE DEPARTMENT | SHAKOPEE, MN

In 2021, the Shakopee Police Department and Shakopee School District continued their partnership in order to provide law enforcement resources along with 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 Officer Michael McLain and Officer John Kolar are assigned to the Shakopee Senior High School; Officer Canon Christianson is assigned to Shakopee East Junior High, Red Oak, Eagle Creek and Sunpath Elementaries and Officer ChadWimmer is assigned to Shakopee West Junior High, Jackson Elementary, Pearson Early Learning Center and SACS SROs perform various duties throughout the course of a school day Their main role is the safety and prevention of any critical incidents or criminal acts 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 Central Family Learning Center and PTO groups SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS

By Canon Christianson, School Resource Officer

2021 was a roller coaster for SROs as our responsibilities continually changed with the needs of the school During the 2021–2022 school year, the pandemic was a major influence on the daily activities of students and officers Due to covid levels in the schools, schools were constantly dealing with staffing levels and periodic days off with intermittent online learning Officers always found ways to help with these issues including stepping in to periodically substitute teach a class when needed Even with these changing conditions, the SRO’s were able to resume most of our normal duties Many of our classroom presentations returned with officers switching to Zoom and Google meet presentations at a moment’s notice As the year continues, officers are becoming more adept in rolling with punches and the constant changing school environment that Covid life throws at us 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 and their family during their time as a student and beyond An SRO’s goal is to build a strong foundation with positive relationships between law enforcement and the public that the students will take with them as they become adult members of our community Officers will continue to support the schools, staff and students and foster these relationships that will strengthen our community

School resource officers get their picture taken for their first day of school

In the Schools | 17