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Funding for two full-time school resource officers was included in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office grants of $2.7 million for drug use prevention education.
Bellefontaine Police Department will receive $63,959.60 to begin the program with the Bellefontaine City Schools for the upcoming school year.
The city and the schools have signed a memorandum of understanding to share costs for the programs, but details are not yet complete.
Police Officers Doug Walters and Allen Huffman have been selected to fill the roles this school year. Both have completed a two-week training required to become a school resource officer.
Their training has provided them with techniques and skills to help students understand the risks of illicit drug use. They will work with school staff at the middle and high schools to provide students this information throughout the year.
The goal of a SRO program is to promote a drug-free environment; provide a “listening ear” for students; offer advice; share information; and plan for a safer tomorrow, the department shared.