‘Trusted mentors’: School resource officer program expands to Nanakuli
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – When the new school year begins, a pilot program that connects Honolulu police officers with students will be expanding in West Oahu.
Read more Lahaina’s Front Street to reopen Saturday ahead of wildfire anniversary
School officials say seeing officers on campus isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
“Our school resource officers serve as safety experts, trusted mentors and positive role models helping build relationship with student while supporting safe, welcoming learning environments,” Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) Superintendent Keith Hayashi said.
The HIDOE, in partnership with HPD, is expanding the School Resource Officer Program. It started in January with three schools — Kaimuki, Waianae, and Kapolei — hosting officers.
Nanakuli will now join the program, getting three officers themselves.
“Our families entrust us with their greatest treasures, their children. And keeping them safe and nurtured and inspired is a kuleana we hold close to our hearts,” Nanakuli High & Intermediate Principal Moani Nahulu-Mahelona said.
City funds support the program at a cost of just over $1 million. Staffing the program are reserve HPD officers who saw value in coming back from retirement — like George Silva, who brings 35 years total of policing experience to the community he grew up in.
“For me, it was convenience, giving back, and just more service. I feel I could give back a little bit more,” Silva said.
The purpose of the program isn’t just to beef up security. Administrators say there’s an element of inspiring and helping the students in a way they hope will leave a lasting mark.
Read more First Alert Forecast: Hold on! Gusty winds and alerts this weekend
It’s something HPD Chief David Lazar said was personal for him.
“I’m a product of public schools from where I was raised, and I remember officers being in the schools and having no father in the home, these officers were mentors to me,” he said.
Lazar remembered being inspired by those role models who kept him on track and out of trouble.
“I wanted to be like them,” he recalled. “It led me to a career in policing that has led me so many years to be here in front of you today.”
Initial concerns over armed officers being on campus were raised, but advocates say the students ultimately benefit.
Kaui Asinsin is credited with pushing to start a school resource officer program in Hawaii.
“The pushback is often negative. ‘Are they gonna be carrying a weapon?’ They’re carrying a weapon when they come here to see when the kids are fighting, so what’s the difference? But we want them here to be proactive,” Asinsin said.
Read more Hawaii track star looks to represent at World Athletics Under-20 Championships
Leaders are hopeful the program could expand to more campuses in the future.
Post Comment