Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
The Sweet Home Police Department has appointed Officer John Trahan to serve as the new school resource officer, starting in September.
“I was very pleased that John applied for this assignment,” Chief Bob Burford said. “I believe he’s the perfect candidate.
“John has shown a high degree of interest in mentoring young people and trying to keep them on the right path toward being honest, responsible adults.”
Burford, Trahan, District 55 Supt. Larry Horton, Sweet Home Junior High Principal Hal Huschka, Sweet Home High School Principal Pat Stineff and probably Vice Principal Dave Goetz will meet this week and start outlining the job description.
Elementary principals were invited, Horton said, but they have already provided input into what they would like to see and may not attend the meeting.
The purpose of the meeting is to start talking about the expectations of the district and the Police Department, Horton said, and then reach common ground for a job description.
“I’m very pleased,” Horton said. “It’s my understanding that Officer John Trahan has been very much interested in serving in some type of role like this for some time.”
Trahan is an officer who has played an active role with the community’s youth already, Horton said, not only as an officer but as a parent and a role model in different functions.
“I’m just very pleased we’re going to have this opportunity to work together, the overall goal being what we see as increased cooperation and assistance between the School District and Police Department,” he said. The two agencies have already worked closely together, but he hopes this will make the relationship between the two even stronger, addressing an increasing variety of issues.
Horton is primarily concerned with drug and alcohol issues, attendance and the overall demeanor and behavior, he said. On the behavior issue, mainly off campus during lunch, “we think this year has been much better than last, and with the resource officer, we think it’ll get even better for our students and our community.”
Trahan said he’s excited about the opportunity.
“It’s great,” Trahan said. “We’ve been talking about this for the past three or four years.”
At this point, he doesn’t know specifically what his duties will be, “but my goal is to connect with the kids, give them somebody else they can talk to, be there, let them see what law enforcement is all about,” he said. “I think I can bring skills through my position that will help in more ways than just being a cop in a school.
“I want to be somebody they can look up to, somebody they can talk to.”
At the same time, he wants to be able to let them know about crime, what it is and how to deal with it, he said. He said it’s important to gain the trust of the students of Sweet Home so they feel comfortable talking to him, but when they’re caught breaking the law, it will still mean a citation or charge. Even then, the key is to give them respect.
When Trahan was in grade school, he had an officer come to his school, he said. It was one of the biggest thrills of his life at that point, and he thinks it can make a difference in Sweet Home.
“I think it’s a huge asset to the community to have the elementary kids be able to talk to a police officer, have a police officer come eat lunch with them, be with them on the playground or help them if they need help,” he said.
He also hopes a police presence will help deter problems, he said. He doesn’t know if a single officer can handle everything, but he’ll be just a radio call away from help.
Trahan has about five years of experience at Sweet Home Police Department, he said. In that time, he believes he has connected with the youth “pretty well.” When he pulls up, they usually gather around to talk to him.
“All I know is that for me as a parent, I feel it’s important,” he said. “As an officer I feel it’s important. As a citizen, I feel it’s important. I’m glad that the citizens in the School District and the Police Department were able to come together.”
This type of work is an investment in the safety of the district’s youth and the community.
Trahan is a field training coach and the Explorer program adviser.
He is married to Tina. They have three children, Tabby, who graduates this week; Brittany, a junior; and John, in eighth grade.