A short time ago, the Walpole Police Department was one of 15 departments in Massachusetts to receive a $125,000 federal grant to fund a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO). The U.S. Department of Justice awarded the grant through the Community Oriented Policing Service, or C.O.P.S. Program.
Having a police officer in the schools, full-time, is a great way to improve the communication between the schools and the police department. With this grant, we were happy to select SRO Tim Songin to fill the position, pictured above with renowned teen dating expert, Dr. Jill Murray. SRO Songin is assigned to the High School and several middle schools, where he handles problems involving students. He works closely with the schools, students and parents regarding juvenile issues. SRO Songin has extensive experience in this field, and annually attends the National Association of School Resource Officers Conference, where he receives specialized training.
There are dozens of issues involved with specializing in juvenile affairs. Handling a youth that may be having some "authority problems", is a difficult thing, and requires a special officer. The laws are different, the rules, the court, pretty much everything is different. We are lucky to have SRO Songin, who works closely with the juvenile courts, social services and the parents and schools alike, to try and find the best solution for kids that need some direction. If you would like to seek SRO Songin's expertise, you can contact him Monday through Friday through the police department, or through his email address.
972 Main Street
Walpole, MA 02081
(508) 668-1095
E-mail SRO Songin
