Shakopee Police Department 2022 Annual Report

IN THE SCHOOLS

By Canon Christianson, School Resource Officer

In 2022, the Shakopee Police Department and the Shakopee School District continued their partnership through our School Resource Program This partnership provided law enforcement resources and safety and security for Shakopee Public Schools The following officers were assigned to their respective schools during the school year, then rotated into patrol duties during the summer months: ■ Officers Gary Kern and Mike Santos were assigned to the High School and Takota Learning Center ■ Officer Canon Christianson was assigned to East Middle School, Sun Path Elementary, Eagle Creek Elementary, and Red Oak Elementary ■ Chad Wimmer was assigned to West Middle School, Jackson Elementary, Sweeney Elementary, Pearson Early Learning Center, and SACS SROs perform various duties throughout the course of a school day One of their main roles is the safety and prevention of criminal acts or critical events within our schools This is done through education, preparation, and working with partners to ensure that the safety of the students and staff stays a top priority for everyone Our partners include school administrators, teachers, counselors, therapists, students, and their families We continually work with these partners to build positive relationships and create a safe learning environment For SROs, one of the learning pieces includes going to classrooms and meeting with students We talk to these classes about a variety of topics such as: drug and alcohol

awareness, first aid, internet safety, bullying, local and federal laws, domestic assault, theft, and personal safety for children Presentations are created specifically for each audience, spanning the range of PK-12th grade, as well as for parent groups such as those at Pearson Early Learning Center and PTO Groups Ultimately, in order for an SRO to be successful, they must foster positive relationships with students It is important for students and their families to understand that the SRO is a resource available to them during their time as a student and beyond In the upcoming year, Shakopee SROs will continue to support students, staff and families and foster these relationships that will ultimately strengthen our community

Officer Chad Wimmer

Officer Gary Kern

Officer Mike Santos

Officer Canon Christianson

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