Warsaw PD Gets Grant Of 250K For School Officer

Students at Warsaw Community High School will soon be seeing more of Warsaw patrolman David Morales.

But not because of anything they've done wrong.

Morales has been tabbed by Warsaw Police Chief Steve Foster to serve as the school resource officer once all, or a portion, of the estimated $250,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant is in the city coffers.

"We certainly appreciate the good news that our grant application has been approved," Foster said Friday. "We're looking forward to working with the schools, and we've also started getting David some training for the resource officer position."

He said Morales will be primarily involved as a presence in the high school, but will provide training in drug awareness, driver's education and helping troubled teens find whatever counseling they may need.

"And he will certainly be hands-on with any incidents that may occur on campus," Foster added.

According to Indiana Rep. Steve Buyer, the funding level is an estimate. The final level of funding will be fixed once a budget has been approved.

WCHS Principal Paul Crousore said the faculty and students are pleased with the announcement of the grant.

"In terms of safety, this is another demonstration of us attempting to make our building safe," he said. "For not only the students but for the staff as well. Officer Morales has an excellent reputation and we look forward to having him in the school."

According to Warsaw School Superintendent Dr. Lee Harman, the School Resource Officer program will not cost the WPD or the school district anything, but will be funded entirely through the federal grant, although he is unsure if all $250,000 will be used.

"As we understand it, the program won't cost the district or the department anything for a three- year period," he said. "The police department applied for two positions through the grant, but I think, for the time being, we'll be dealing with just one."

Harman said that Morales' main responsibilities will be exclusive to the high school, but would not rule out his working with other schools if the need arises.

"We're pleased to be able to implement this program and we're very pleased to having Officer Morales here," he said.