This news article was first published in the April print edition of The Main Four.

By News Editor: Kayla McClain

In the city of Howell, the police department ensures safety in the community. During the last four years, police officer Lieutenant Darren Lockhart has been serving and protecting Howell High School as the Resource Officer. Recently, Principal Jason Schrock informed that he will soon be leaving, as it is tradition that every four years the Resource Officer position is renewed.

“I think it’s a way to keep people within the police department in the same way as you would rotate someone on a shift,” Mr. Schrock says. “To stay in tune; to stay alert. We historically rotated people every four years in their positions within the department.”

Lieutenant Lockhart is not only stationed at HHS, but he patrols all over the Howell Public Schools district. His job entails proper security for the students, and to enforce the law, in and outside of the classroom.

“While this may be a high school, there is still an element of obeying the law and complying with all those expectations that has to be followed, especially with a school our size,” Mr. Schrock says. Throughout the last four years, Lockhart has spent his time not only on duty, but participated in school events in order to support the school.

“We’ve enjoyed partnering with him,” Mr. Schrock says. “Darren has been to sporting events, to dances, to extracurricular activities like the shows. He’s really done a great job supporting our students, and we appreciate all the time he has been with us. Our students have been here for four years, he’s been here for four years. It’s never easy when a staff member leaves.”

The Resource Officer is technically not a part of HHS staff, but an extension of the staff. This means that every new officer has to take account of his or her duties as a police officer, plus the responsibilities of the new position. The next officer to replace Lockhart is currently undecided, but he or she has to adjust and learn how the school system works.

“There’s always an adjustment period with a new staff member. There are certain changes that anyone goes through when learning a new job. Certainly their job is police officer first, but they work with us,” Mr. Schrock says. “So, there’s always working out the bugs of learning our systems, learning the people who are involved, and learning how to work with our administrators. That’s why they want to identify the person early, so there can be some handing the baton from one person to the next.”

Although the situation of adjusting is difficult at first, HHS and the police department have a sufficient relationship in order to join together.

“They [the police department] have been fantastic,” Mr. Schrock says. “Between helping us plan the homecoming parade, to dealing with really difficult situations with students and families, they are truly a resource for our students. They really have the best interest of the community at heart.”