The City of Fenton Police Department and Fenton Area Public Schools (FAPS) partner to bring a second School Resource Officer to the district.
FENTON: With a unanimous vote, City Council approved an agreement between The City of Fenton Police Department and FAPS that financially supports an additional School Resource Officer (SRO) for the district. FAPS has been awarded $125,000.00 from the School Resource Officer Grant Program that is paid over three years to support the additional SRO along with support from the City of Fenton.
Student Resource Officers support the law enforcement needs of the school district and work in collaboration with FAPS and The City of Fenton Police Department during the school year as well as consulting on student issues during the summer months.
To ensure the safety and security of the district, the SRO creates a partnership between law enforcement and the school system to be present when schools are in session, investigate crimes or potential threats that are school-related, and prioritize the safety of FAPS and the community.
FAPS Superintendent Heidie Ciesielski was in attendance to answer questions about the new position. Right now, Officer Thomas Cole is the SRO for FAPS. With a second officer on duty, the two will be able to give broader coverage across the district. One officer will be dedicated to the three elementary buildings and the preschool, and the other officer will be present at the campus on Donaldson drive that includes the high school, middle school, administration building, and bus garage.
The City Manager, Lynn Markland, signed the agreement based on the enthusiastic recommendation of the City Council. Councilman David McDermott said, “The feedback I’ve heard about the Student Resource Officer has been universally positive. The kids love him!” The second SRO will be selected and placed within the district for the 2023-2024 school year.
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