West Chester Partners with Lakota Local Schools and Butler Tech for Safety

Safety is priority #1 for the Lakota Local School District and West Chester Township. And, just as students returned to school in August, so did the nine West Chester police officers assigned as School Resource Officers (SROs).

“Having officers present in our schools, building relationships with students and faculty makes our schools safer,” said West Chester Interim Police Chief Brian Rebholz. “The program reinforces the fact that police officers are there to help while enhancing the police/ community relationship. When kids need help or someone to turn to, an SRO is there to assist.”

Throughout the year, West Chester Police work closely with the school community training and developing plans for response in a crisis such as an active shooter event, or fight, or any other possible emergency. The West Chester Fire Department works alongside in these trainings because getting medical aid to possible victims as quickly as possible can make a real difference.

“We work together as a team with students and staff, as well as our fellow Fire Department first responders to respond to and mitigate or prevent emergency situations,” Chief Rebholz said.

About 21 percent of West Chester’s population is school age (between the ages of 5 and 19) and together with faculty and their families represent a significant segment of our community.

Lakota Schools pays the cost for eight assigned SROs and Butler Tech pays for one officer. The cost includes salary, retirement premium, Medicare and Workers Compensation for the nine months of the school year ($781,813.24 for Lakota and $102,199.05 for Butler Tech).

An SRO is assigned to each building in West Chester. School buildings in Liberty Township contract with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.

In light of school shootings across the country, the extra level of security and the training that takes place with school staff and students to mitigate and address potential threats is priceless.

“The SRO program enhances policing efforts because of the valued relationships the SROs establish with the students,” Chief Rebholz said. “Through these relationships, the police departments build rapport with students and staff producing many positive outcomes for all involved."

SROs in the schools are prepared to respond immediately in any crisis always putting the safety of students and staff first.

West Chester officers apply and are selected to fill positions as School Resource Officers. They often go above-and-beyond traditional roles, volunteering as coaches and seeking opportunities to engage in the school community.

During the summer months, SROs rejoin the ranks of Township patrol officers.