“The Miami Tribe is implementing this new officer position in memory of the loss of the 20 children and six adult teachers and staff in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.”
The Miami Tribe is funding $50,000 for the salary for a school resource officer for Miami Public Schools to promote school safety and in remembrance of Sandy Hook Elementary students and teachers. Attending the presentation were Miami tribal members, Business Committee and Economic Development members, Miami school officials, and center (from left) Miami Police Chief George Haralson, Miami Superintendent Loretta Robinson, and Chief of the Miami Tribe Tom Gamble.
Posted: 9:58 pm, Wed Apr 10, 2013 in MiamiOk.com
Melinda Stotts melinda.stotts@miaminewsrecord.com
The nation mourned and then rallied to action after the 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School took the lives of 26 students and teachers. Reacting locally, schools, tribes, and the community took a closer look at what could be done to improve the safety of area students. In response the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma is funding $50,000 of a School Resource Officer’s (SRO) salary to serve Miami schools.
The position is for a full-time officer who will help patrol the nine public schools in Miami on a daily basis,with emphasis at the Will Rogers Middle School, to allow for a visual deterrent against violence, and bullying, added security and to provide another trusted individual for the students to confide in or look to for security while on campus.
The Miami Tribe is implementing this new officer position in memory of the loss of the 20 children and six adult teachers and staff in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy which shocked and saddened the nation on Dec.14, 2012.
“Our youth are our future,” Chief Tom Gamble of the Miami Tribe said, “It is our responsibility as good community partners, and as responsible individuals, to ensure that our children are protected and feel safe while they are at school.”
Chief Gamble said the Miami Tribe’s Business Committee members first looked at other ways to help, such as locks, cameras, and bullet proof glass, which are useful safety tools, but after discussing the issue decided a presence on campus was much more useful and needed.
Miami’s Police Chief George Haralson said the job position will be posted and he expects from three to five applicants from his department. He said hiring should take place by a review board by July in time for the new officer to be in place by the next school year. The School Resource Officer will work for and under the direction and jurisdiction of the Miami Police Department through memorandums of understanding with the Miami Public School system.
The new School Resource Officer will be the second in Miami, joining SRO Joey Williams who works mainly at Miami High School.
“We’re very excited about it, “Miami Schools Superintendent Loretta Robinson said, “Officer Joey does a great job, but he’s one person. There are 2,551 students in Miami. This gives an opportunity to have the officer presence at the Middle School as well as some support at the elementary schools. We appreciate not only the Tribe, they were the ones that initiated this, but the police department that did come though with additional funds for those other three months when we’re not in school.”
Robinson stressed that this opportunity is an example of community cooperation made possible only through such a joint effort.
“The revenues came through the Tribe’s economic development funds, so one good thing with having our own money, we get to do with it what we want. It’s rewarding to help,” Chief Gamble said.
Education is a high priority for the Miami Tribe who helps fund education for many of its tribal members through scholarships.
“Our children attend school to receive an education as a foot hold towards a prosperous and successful future. They shouldn’t have to worry about anything else but studying while they are in school,” Chief Gamble said.
The Miami Tribal officials said they are proud to commit to this important program to protect all Miami youth, and hope that, following this one year commitment, other resources within the community will continue to fund this important position.
“It is an honor for the Miami Tribe to serve the community in this way,” Chief Gamble said, “We plan to present Sandy Hook Elementary with a plaque commemorating the institution of this important position here in Miami so they will remember that we share in their loss and take responsibility to try to ensure against violence against our children.”