Sycamore Junior High’s new student resource officer focuses on trust, not just security

MONTGOMERY, Ohio (WXIX) - Sycamore Junior High has hired a new school resource officer, but his job involves more than keeping watch of students.

Before the first bell of the school year, Officer David Robert greeted students and parents as they arrived for schedule pickup day.

“Kids are our future and it’s important that they have positive role models,” Roberts said.

As a 10-year police veteran, this is Roberts first year as a school resource officer. He says the transition has required a shift in thinking.

“Safety is still number one, making sure the kids can have a positive and safe learning environment, the teachers can do their job,” he said. “But I’m really here to build relationships with the students, with the parents, and the staff.”

Roberts said students will see him in hallways, at lunch and sometimes in classrooms. He says his office door will always be open.

“My door is going to be open — if they just need to talk,” Roberts said.

Roberts, a father of four, says he wants students to know they have anonymous options if they see something that doesn’t feel right. He is directing students to the Safer Ohio App, where anyone can report a safety concern without giving their name.

“You can report stuff anonymously. There’s no repercussions on you — and then that’s going to be alerted to myself and the school administration, and then we can follow up on that stuff,” Roberts said.

Ultimately, his goal is to be someone students can count on before there is ever a crisis.

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