Wabash District 348’s School Resource Officer says the school year has been a positive one across the district.
At Monday evening’s School Board meeting, Officer Eric Emmons said students and staff have continued building strong relationships with law enforcement since he began serving in the role in October. He said his focus has been not only on school safety and preparedness, but also on mentorship and being a visible, approachable presence for students.
Emmons told the board overall student behavior has been good, and when issues do arise, they are typically addressed quickly by school administrators.
He said he spends most of his time at the high school, but also works with the junior high and elementary school as needed. Emmons described his day as a mix of monitoring hallways, being present during arrivals and dismissals, and making himself available for students who may need help or simply want to talk.
He also told the board he believes each school would benefit from eventually having its own school resource officer.
In addition to his report, Emmons introduced the possibility of a new therapy dog program. He presented Poppy, his two-year-old goldendoodle, and explained that the dog has completed certification and temperament testing through the Pet Partners program.
Emmons said the therapy dog would not be a police K-9, but rather a voluntary resource to help students dealing with anxiety, stress, or other challenges. He said the program would come at no cost to the school district, with expenses covered personally, and suggested the district could consider a pilot program in the future.
School board members and administrators praised Emmons for his work, with Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer calling him an “all-star.”
Mayor Joe Judge also voiced support, saying the city has seen the school resource officer program as a success and remains committed to working with the district on school safety and student support.
