|
|
Cops make a daily difference at North Branch schoolsBy Barbara Brown Officer Wayne Schwalbe roams the halls of North Branch High School while classes are in session. He looks for those few ìlost soulsî who may need some guidance back to their classrooms. He talks to a few students along the way who are waiting in the halls outside classes where they either study or make up tests. Occasionally, the conversations take on a legal tone as students ask about the implications of illegal activity or even talk quietly about a friendís or parentís alcohol or drug use. Schwalbe has talked to students about physical, sexual and mental abuse. Sometimes the encounters are light-hearted and upbeat like when a student locks his keys in the car, sports or after-school and church activities. Schwalbe has his finger on the pulse of the school and thatís just how he likes it. Schwalbe and Officer Tim Olson are both members of the North Branch police force who are school resource officers. They not only patrol the schools looking for illegal activity, they also act as a kind of counselor for troubled students or those who just want someone to talk to. ìThe schools and the police department work well together and aim to have the kids succeed and be safe,î said Schwalbe, a 6-year veteran resource officer. Most kids at North Branch schools are well-behaved, Schwalbe said. The few that may get in trouble with the law are dealt with as fairly as possible. At a recent convention with other school officers, Olson and Schwalbe inquired about behavior of students in other districts. Schwalbe said North Branch students are great kids and that trend is evident in most other schools in the state. Recently, one student was expelled from North Branch schools because of a drug distribution charge. However, both Olson and Schwalbe see their jobs more as counselors of a sort than the long arm of the law in the schools. ìEven kids weíve had to see in a legal aspect ñ the important thing is to treat them the way you would want to be treated or you wonít get anywhere,î Schwalbe said ìThatís a huge factor that really pays off.î Olson said one of the highlights of his job is being able to get into classrooms of students at all the North Branch schools and talk to them about law enforcement and start to ìbuild that trust of the police.î ìIt goes a long way with kids this age if you can have some sort of respect for them,î Olson said. Schwalbe said that approach to students is a preventative measure. Approaching the students on a friendly, non-threatening basis will make them more apt to confide in police if they find themselves in trouble, he said. ìWe take a proactive approach,î Schwalbe said. ìWeíre not just going to sit here and wait for something to happen. Weíre going to talk to the kids all along the way. Olson said when he first started his job he was questioned by residents about why officers are needed in the schools. He said that attitude has changed and parents and students both see the officers as a way to ensure a safe environment to anyone who goes into the schools. ìNow, Iíve had parents call me and ask me to talk to their kids about drugs or drinking or getting in trouble,î Olson said. ìNot because they donít want to or they are scared to, but because maybe it would mean more coming from me.î Students in North Branch and other schools in the state have problems at home, with other students and with teachers. They can count on the resource officers to lend a sympathetic ear when needed and offer assistance getting help to solve a problem. ìWe are multi-tasked,î Schwalbe said. ìWe have to be a resource for the students and the teachers, but weíre also a resource for the public, for the parents.î Olson and Schwalbe use resources of their own to help their jobs run smoothly. They often receive calls from other police officers on patrol duty inquiring about a family. ìWe have officers out there who respond to a house where thereís a complaint and weíll get a call asking about the kid ñ if we know anything or if we can help.î Both officers agreed that the best part about their jobs is being around the students and staff every day. That staff agrees, said middle school principal Todd Tetzlaff. ìTim is a great asset to the school,î he said. ìHeís been so great to work with and the students and staff really like him.î Schwalbe said he could not imagine having any other line of work. ìItís really rewarding when youíve been working at the schools and you see a particular kid and you know you can talk to them and be instrumental in setting them off in the right direction,î Schwalbe said. ìSeeing that kid succeed is so great. I really think Iíve found my niche in life.î ©ECM Post Review |