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School
resource officer in place at North Platte
by
Jalana Robinson
Landmark reporter
The Platte County Sheriff's Department
is sending one of its own back to school.
Deputy Tom Taulbee is the selected officer who will be
attending North Platte R-1 School District along with
about 700 students this year.
"We're working with the school to conduct a study
to determine if a school resource officer would be beneficial
to the school," said Shelle Browning, Platte County
Sheriff's Department spokesperson.
To understand how a school resource officer could benefit
North Platte, Taulbee will keep an office in the high
school and will work flexible hours as needed throughout
the school district serving various roles.
After the 2001-2002 school year, the sheriff's department
will receive feedback from the school and review the outcomes
to decide whether to continue the program permanently.
"We're just getting started with that program,"
said Roger Giger, North Platte Junior High principal.
The program is already in place at the Park Hill School
District where an officer is on hand to provide awareness
programs, help prevent dangerous situations and to provide
educational materials.
Park Hill's school resource officer is partially funded
by a Local Law Enforcement Block Grant of $15,002 from
the Missouri Public Safety Department that is matched
by Park Hill and Platte County for a combined total of
$45,007 to fund the program.
"I spent part of the time last semester at Park Hill,"
said Taulbee. "To get the feel of it and fill in
when needed."
Taulbee also received formal training as a school resource
officer and has taken part in the National Association
of School Resource Officer's conference.
The sheriff's department hopes to establish a partnership
between its department and the school by providing a safe
and positive school environment with a school resource
officer.
"I know a lot of things that I can offer them,"
said Taulbee.
He explained that not only will he interact with students,
but he will guest speak to government classrooms and be
on hand to answer questions that students might have about
the law.
Taulbee said that students sometimes ask what to do
after receiving a speeding ticket. Not only will he be
available to advise, but he will also be there to take
reports, if needed.
The sheriff's department considers this a time when the
school can have a positive law enforcement role mode.
"I think this will be a really interesting job,"
said Taulbee. "I hope that I'm an asset to the school
and the community."
He also said that he views this position as a non-teaching
part-time position within the school.
If the program goes well and both the school and the
sheriff's department are interested in pursuing a school
resource officer, then a grant will be sought to help
fund a permanent officer at the school district.
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