EBRSO School Resource Officers: A Positive Force in Central

By Mia Freneaux
    The beginning of a new school year always presents some anxieties.  Parents are wondering if their children will get a teacher that will be interested in their child, what challenges their child will face, how to guarantee their academic success, etc., etc.  Students are wondering if they will find friends, if they will be faced with bullying or pressure to do something they know they shouldn’t, and how to guarantee their social success!   At any stage of academics, it is good to have a shoulder to lean on.  Enter the School Resource Officers.  
    This program was begun over 6 years ago as an outreach of the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. The goal of the program is to place deputies in every school in the parish.  These deputies not only provide security in the schools, they hold a place of leadership and example for the students and are a resource for parents and teachers.  Mayor Mac Watts and Coach Robert Williams approached Capt. Bobby Dale Callender about the possibility of having an SRO assigned to Central’s  schools.  Capt. Callender received permission from the Sheriff to place (then) Dep. Terry Carter in the Central School System.  The CCSS pays for the deputies’ salaries and benefits.  “Supt. Mike Faulk has been wonderful to work with,” said Capt. Callender, “He’s proactive, he comes to us with his ideas, and he supports ours.  It’s been a pleasure.”
    Newly promoted Sergeant Terry Carter is the head of the program in the Central Community School System.  Terry is a 23 year veteran with the EBRSO, having served in the prison, the Special Community Anti-Crime Team, court room security, Uniform Patrol, and Judicial Process before being selected to participate in the newly formed SRO project.  Terry began as the only officer in the school district in 2009, and had to cover all 5 schools on his own initially.  Since then, the program has expanded to include Deputies Sonya Harden, Steve Woodward, and John Simoneaux, and Terry focusses now on the Intermediate and Middle schools.  Terry sees his mission is to mentor the students, offering them help and advice not only with typical issues like bullying, but also troubles with home life.  “I get to see all the changes from 3rd through 8th grade.  They’re dealing with kid issues, peer pressure, sometimes they need someone other than a parent to help when there’s a problem.  I’m here to help them through these ‘trying times’.  I work to give them problem solving skills.  It can be trying, but you have to have a desire to work with them and make a difference in their lives. “
    Dep. Sonya Harden works with the students at Bellingrath Hills.  She is an 18 year veteran with EBRSO, having served on SCAT with Terry, in Uniform Patrol, as a Sex Crimes Detective, and a Homicide Detective.  She also served for one year as Assistant Chief with the BRPD.  She has seen the absolute worst of humanity, and truly enjoys the innocence of the little ones she’s assigned to mentor.  She sees the opportunity she has to develop trust with her tiny charges, so that they see a law officer as a friend and protector.  She also reaches out to their parents, offering support in times of need.  “The best part of my job is when I get to school in the morning and I get 20 hugs in a row- my legs, neck!  I just love reading to them and playing with them.  I try to give extra attention and hugs to my special needs students.”
    Dep. Steve Woodward is the SRO at Tanglewood Elementary.  He is an 8 ½ year veteran with EBRSO, having served in Uniform Patrol and the SWAT Team.  Steve has a unique perspective in that before he was a deputy, he was a teacher and coach.  He was happy to accept the assignment to serve as an SRO so that he could get back into a school setting.  “It’s a great combination.  I get to use my prior knowledge to come into the school and make it the safest environment,” he shares.  His favorite part of his job?  “Birthdays!” he jokes, “there’s always extra cake!”  Then he adds, “I’ve always worked with kids.  I always want to share with them.  I want them to know that whatever they’re facing, the person in green is there to help them.”
    Dep. John Simoneaux is the SRO at Central High School.  You may remember his facilitating students’ participating in the Special Olympics 5K fundraiser last month at the State Capitol.  He is a 7 ½ year veteran with the EBRSO, having served in Corrections and Uniform Patrol.  His involvement, along with the other officers, began as an extra duty patrol officer in East Baton Rouge Parish Schools.  He takes great joy in being involved in the students’ lives.   “I’m there for them.  I mentor them and watch them develop and help them make good decisions.  Their school careers are more than just numbers and test scores.  It’s about helping them to become well-rounded and be able to handle any situation they face in life.  My faith is a big component in my life.  I want them to see that whether in uniform or plain clothes, I’m the same person.  They can have confidence in my answers.”
    All of the SRO’s have had to take special classes to take the assignment.  They take courses in Safety Assessment and other important subjects to continually better themselves in their service to our school children.  School security has become a huge issue, even down to the elementary level, as the tragedy at Sandy Hook demonstrated.  “We have to be a deterrant as well, always really protective, always on our “A” game,” Terry states soberly.  These good people take their jobs very seriously, most significantly in that they see their position as much more than a job.  John says, “It’s rewarding to know that for some, you stood in the gap.” “We counsel kids who want to drop out and stop them.  We help with Senior Projects.  We have a long list of things we do, “Terry shares.  “We’re never too busy to help.  It’s our job to help kids go to school and get an education and not have to worry about someone harassing them.” Capt. Callender says proudly, “It takes a special person to handle these jobs.  They not only have to handle security, but mentoring and public relations as well.  It’s a real calling.”