When the Kosciusko County commissioners approve county departments applying for and receiving grants, the commissioners don't always get to see or hear how the grants have helped the county.

Tuesday, Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine gave the commissioners a brief presentation on how the COPS school resource officer grant helps not only the local community, but also the schools and students.

Rovenstine said two years ago, the grants for school resource officers at Warsaw and Wawasee high schools were started. Since then, "it's been a very successful program," he said.

This year, Don McCune became the school resource officer at Tippecanoe Valley High School. Rocky Goshert, Wawasee school resource officer, began at Wawasee at the end of last year.

Gene Mitz, an administrator at Wawasee Schools, told the commissioners the school resource officer program "is a proactive program in which we are able to stop many crimes from happening" in the school and in the community. "This is really a national program that is relatively new to the Midwest."

He said the school corporations still handle school policies. However, when laws are broken, the school resource officer can step in. The officer also assists teachers and sometimes athletic teams.

Now in its second year, Mitz said, they feel the program is a "good, solid program."

The officer, who is often in the school from 7 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m., is "in a positive environment" most of the time. "It's a very proactive program and has helped us keep a safe and secure environment," he said.

Rod McKee, TVHS, said three years ago, due to various problems at the school, he was almost ready to quit being an administrator - until the school resource program began, that is.

The resources and expertise McCune brings to the school, McKee said, are a great help.

"... With this program, they have broken that barrier" between police and kids, and kids feel they are safer at school now. "I echo the program is very proactive," he said.

He said the students realize the officer is there for them. The school resource officer, McKee said, is very much a part of the school. "I appreciate the grant, I appreciate Officer McCune and what they have done for Tippecanoe Valley High School."

Rovenstine thanked the commissioners for approving the grant. With the DARE and resource officers at the school, the sheriff's department has a "wealth of information that otherwise we wouldn't have," he said.

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