counselors, mentors, and teachers. Yes,
these remarkable people do it all.
where he or she is stationed. They go the
extra mile and truly try to connect with
the students in ways that show how law
enforcement personnel are more than
what’s depicted in the media or what
students may possibly see or hear in
their own neighborhoods. These School
Resource Officers strive to show that
Law Enforcement is an honorable career
where individuals can serve and protect
the community as well as give back in
meaningful ways.
Sergeant Keith Wallace, for instance,
serves as the East Side Supervisor and
years. In that time, he has enjoyed the
school-based hours an SRO works,
which means a lot for a family man.
Being available after school made a huge
difference for his family and especially
the girls he coached in fast pitch softball.
Wallace has worked with both travel
teams and showcase teams.
His high school showcase teams
played college teams and often won!
As a testament to his skills as coach,
in the past 16 years he has watched
35 members of his team earn college
softball scholarships, eleven of those in
this year alone. Of course, the girls had
skills, but a solid, dedicated, coach helps
tremendously, too.
Back at school, the SROs at the high
school level teach a required class called
HOPE. Each student must take this
course before 12th grade. In this class
students learn the law, which is a good
working closely with the School Resource
also get to see the positive, human side of
Law Enforcement, build a rapport with the
citizens by recognizing unlawful situations
and reporting them safely through the
Campus Crime Stoppers program.
Schools have seen an uptick in crime
repor ting through the anonymous
Campus Crime Stoppers program and
87