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Resource Officers Have Vital Roles

It is difficult to find anyone critical of the concept of using professional law enforcement personnel as resource officers in public schools. They do a world of good in many ways.

For a time, Union Local schools used resource officers. But that program seems to have come to an end.

About two weeks ago, Bethesda officials announced they would stop providing law enforcement services for Union Township, which includes the school district. School officials say they will rely on the Belmont County Sheriff’s Department, and on private security personnel.

School Superintendent Ben Porter noted last week that the security staff members are “not resource officers … At this point in time, that’s where we’re at.”

Perhaps security personnel can assume some resource officer duties — which are not limited merely to ensuring no one gets hurt in school. Resource officers often act as counselors for students, and sometimes, they get important tips from them.

One way or another, Union Local school officials should be looking at how they can get back to a true resource officer program. It would benefit schools, law enforcement agencies and, most important, students.

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