Ethan Hoagland
The Sweet Home Police Department is up to full staff, now that they’ve added a new school resource officer, according to Chief Jason Ogden. Tyler Robinson started the job just before the Sweet Home School District went on winter break.
“It has taken a couple years to get back up to a decent staffing level, where we can put someone back in the school,” Chief Ogden said.
Chief Ogden sees Robinson, who’s worked for SHPD for over two years, as a solid fit for the SRO position. Robinson began studying education at Western University, before switching to get a bachelor’s in Community Health Education. From there, Robinson spent two years as a reserve deputy for Benton County Sheriff’s Office, where he carried out marine patrol duties for a season.
“Feels good, I’m definitely ready for it,” Robinson said. “I really like interacting with kids and as the resource officer we work as mentor a lot of the times. Yeah, we go around when there’s issues, or kids fighting, or kids getting into trouble but a big part of it is just counseling kids and getting to know them. Especially at younger ages.”
Robinson will patrol all of Sweet Home School District’s schools: the four elementaries, the junior high and the high school. Although, in a Facebook announcement about Robinson’s hire, SHPD said Robsinson will mostly be at the high school.
The post also said the department “made him guest speak in a classroom on his first day as SRO.”
“School staff, kids– it seems like they’re all very receptive to having an SRO back in the schools,” Robinson said.
Earlier in the fall, the SHPD welcomed two new officers. Officer Mark Birkett is already out and on patrol, while officer Jayson Sanchez is still working through his training before heading to the state academy.