FARMINGTON – Shane Campbell, a resource officer for SAD 9 schools, said he was devastated when he learned the program won’t happen next school year.
The police officer recently learned that the Farmington Police Department didn’t get a three-year grant to fund the police in schools program.
“I know it’s been a great program,” he said.
The program started in 1997 and officer Irving Dorr was the first resource officer in the schools.
Campbell became resource officer in 2000. Since he started, he said, the program has evolved from being reactive to more proactive. Teachers have asked Campbell to talk to classes about a range of topics from the dangers of drugs to constitutional issues. Although he is based at Mount Blue High School, he has visited the district’s schools at all levels.
“I feel I’m making a difference, I honestly do,” Campbell said.
Kids drop in to see him to discuss issues going on in their personal lives and ask advice on how to handle something, he said.
He said members of the Student Council came to him and seeking to buy a pair of “fatal vision goggles.” Those goggles give the impression of being under the influence of alcohol or other substances, without having to drink alcohol. The council spent the $500 to buy the goggles and Campbell uses those glasses to teach students about the dangers of drinking.
About 50 people, mostly faculty, have come to Campbell and told him “‘What can we do? We don’t want to lose you,'” he said. “What can we do to try and get the program in place?”
Middle school staff members have written a letter as well as many others, he said.
Campbell is working with police and SAD 9 administrators to explore more funding options.
dperry@sunjournal.com
Send questions/comments to the editors.
