The Lawrence Middle School has gained its own school resource officer.
Police Officer Rich Lamont was assigned to LMS, expanding the SRO initiative between the Lawrence Township Public Schools and the Lawrence Township Police Department. His first day on the job as the SRO was Sept. 1.
Police Officer Steve Austin is the SRO at Lawrence High School. A police officer has been assigned to LHS as the SRO for many years.
The SRO is a fulltime police officer who helps to maintain campus safety and also builds positive relationships with students. The SRO serves as a role model for students, officials said.
A Class III special law enforcement officer had been assigned to LMS prior to Lamont’s appointment as the SRO. A Class III SLEO is a retired police officer who provides security in the schools.
The decision to create a second SRO position and to assign it to LMS is part of the planning surrounding the evolution of the LMS and LHS campuses, school district officials said.
LMS is currently a grades 7-8 school, but it is being renovated to become a grades 6-8 school. It is part of the districtwide grade reconfiguration plan. The LMS expansion and renovation is being funded by a $98 million bond referendum approved by voters.
School district officials described the expansion of the SRO program as investment in relationships.
The officers will become familiar faces in each school. They will get to know the students, staff and families as they build connections that extend beyond the school day and into the community, officials said.
“Our students will get to know the officer who serve their community, and the officers will get to know our students – not just as students, but as young people and members of our community,” said Robyn Klim, the superintendent of schools.
Officers Austin and Lamont may see students at community events, in their neighborhoods and throughout the township. The goal is to help build relationships built on familiarity, trust and mutual respect, officials said.
Interim Police Chief Kevin Reading Jr. said community policing is all about building relationships.
“We want our young people to know the officers, and we want our officers to know the young people and families who make up this community. Having two fulltime officers assigned to the grades 7-12 campus gives us an incredible opportunity to become even more connected,” Reading said.
The SRO program was in place prior to 2012. It was suspended because of financial issues, but revived in 2018 in response to school shootings, including the shooting at Marjorie Douglas Stoneman High School in Parkland, Fla.
Upon its revival in 2018, one SRO was assigned to LHS. The Class III special law enforcement officers were assigned to other schools in the district, including LMS. The Class III special law enforcement officer position was created by state law in 2016.
