Partnership, grant to bring police officer into Lima schools

Lima City Schools and The Lima Police Department announce School Resource Officer position.

A partnership between the Lima City Schools and Lima Police Department has received a three-year $125,000 federal Community Oriented Policing Grant that will put a uniformed LPD officer in the schools.

The school resource officer will be largely located at Lima Senior High School, but could be used at any of the district’s school buildings or at any school-related event. The officer will be in place this spring.

“We have always had a great partnership with the Lima City Schools and we believe this is just an opportunity to take that partnership to another level,” Lima Police Chief Kevin Martin said. “It will benefit not only the school, but the entire community.”

Superintendent Jill Ackerman said that in the wake of public shootings, school districts have to always be thinking of safety and revisiting what’s in place to ensure student safety.

“Safety and security of our students have always been a priority and we have worked very hard to make sure we have processes and procedures in place to keep our kids safe,” she said. “Adding a school resource officer only enhances our ability to provide a safe environment for our school community.”

Officer Nate Garlock will be the officer. His role will help to ensure a safe and secure school environment, act as an educational resource and be a liaison between the school district and Lima Police.

Officials believe the officer’s presence will deter problems from happening and help create a positive relationship between Lima Police and students.

The police department already has a presence in the Lima City Schools. Building on that relationship will benefit the schools, police and families, Ackerman said.

“We have a strong working relationship with the Lima Police and we want our kids and families to have the same,” she said.

Martin believes building on that relationship will also aid police in its long-term recruitment efforts.

“As kids get to understand that police officers are good human beings and that being a police officer is a noble profession, hopefully it will make more kids want to consider law enforcement as a career,” he said.

The grant will fund 75 percent of the officer’s salary for the three years of the grant. The school district will pick up the rest. The district will commit to paying the officer’s salary and benefits for three years following the grant expiration.

Officer Nate Garlock:

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