Village and Stockbridge Community Schools enter contract to fund officer position

Chief of Police, Stockbridge’s Johnnie Torres, Jr.

We can all agree how important it is for kids to feel safe while attending school, and it is equally important for teachers and other staff to also feel safe while providing the education needed to produce the next generation of leaders.

With that in mind, the Village of Stockbridge recently voted to allocate 50% of the necessary funding for a School Resource Officer position for the next two school years. The other 50% funding comes from the Stockbridge Community Schools with $6,000 of their portion coming from a generous donation by the Stockbridge Township Board to the schools. This community has asked for more police presence in the schools for several years, and now it will have it, thanks to the collaboration of local governments and school officials.

Officer Kevin Marshall has been a steady presence in the schools since becoming employed as a part-time officer by SPD in February of this year. With this new funding, he will become a full-time officer, and his presence within the schools will increase. It will also help ensure more continuity in the SRO position, which is crucial to be effective and reach established goals and objectives, as the schools and SPD have seen his two predecessors leave due to more equitable opportunities.

Local leaders and elected officials saw the need and importance of this public safety initiative and took necessary steps to see it come to fruition. Their actions speak volumes about what they believe is crucial: our children’s safety.

Credit goes to all involved in the decision-making. Actions like these provide hope that future cooperation can be achieved for the betterment of our community.

Stay vigilant. Stay safe,

 Chief Torres