STEPHEN FRYE, The Associated Press
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) -- Whether it’s engaging teens in police work or exciting youngsters with Sarge the Robot, officers want to develop a lasting bond with the public early on. And working in the schools is vital for getting the public and police on the same page.
Pontiac police Officer Donnell Reed patrols the high school where he spent his formative years while his colleague, Officer Jason Daniel, leads a new effort to combine police work with learning.
In Rochester Hills, Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Sue Myszenski -- simply Deputy Sue to the youngest students -- loves teaching safety.
Throughout the area and nation, police officers associating directly with schools has become commonplace, especially after a rash of school violence a few years ago. Officers want to work with pupils in a positive environment.
In Pontiac, police have two separate programs with the school system: the liaison officers and the new Pontiac Junior Police Magnet Academy.
Recently, more than two dozen freshmen sat in two rows in Pontiac Northern High School’s gymnasium for their gym class, which began with a lecture from Officer Daniel about discipline and respect.
This group, along with another at Pontiac Central, is part of the Magnet program in which half the day’s classes include a law enforcement aspect. Eventually, this gym class will feature simulated foot chases, an obstacle course and a more militaristic attitude, much like a police academy.
“You guys are going to make history,” Pontiac Sgt. Darryl Cosby told the group. “You’re the first class in the program.”
A science class, for example, will have these pupils learning how to lift fingerprints. They will study global issues, multicultural affairs and other subjects typically associated with a police academy. Social studies will soon include an in-class courtroom designed for the pupils to practice their own legal cases.
“Every course will be designed toward law enforcement in some way,” said Pontiac Lt. Carmen Gackstetter. “Partnership with community is very important to us.”
The program will continue through all four years of the group’s high school careers. Each year, a new freshman class will have this option and the program will eventually be present in all four grades with a police instructor assisting. Seniors can earn credits at Oakland Community College.
“I like it,” said Daniel. “I love dealing with kids, especially kids who show an interest in what I do.”
Pontiac Police Chief Rollie Gackstetter said the program will benefit both the pupils and the department. Hometown recruitment has been a problem, and this program can help years down the road.
“It’s going to be better each session,” he said. “It’s a career path.” Gackstetter said it will provide “a steady stream of public safety professionals from our hometown.”
The program is separate from the regular liaison officers who work to develop relationships with students as well as handle security and police matters.
The current graduating class at Northern will have been with Reed all four years.
“Pretty much, everyone knows me,” said the officer, who keeps his door open for students to speak with him.
Reed is always watching, and he notices when trouble is brewing.
Communication is crucial. That, he said, keeps problems from escalating.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Department has deputies working in many schools, including Brandon, Lake Orion, South Lyon and Milford high schools.
Within Rochester Community Schools, which has three high schools, local police have combined efforts to ensure every school has some sort of program involving officers.
“Our goal is to let every student have a positive classroom experience with a police officer once a year,” said Oakland County Sheriff’s Sgt. Tom Parker.
Parker heads five officers -- from the Rochester Hills sheriff’s substation and the Rochester Police Department -- who work throughout the 13,000-pupil district. One officer is assigned to each high school as well as feeder middle schools. Two others conduct regular programs within the elementary schools as well as one middle school each.
“I love it,” said Myszenski, a deputy since 1975. “You feel like you’re effecting change. When you’re on the street, you don’t always know that.”
She teaches stranger-danger, “good touch versus bad touch,” school bus and pedestrian safety, and Halloween safety as well as lessons about avoiding substance abuse.
The goal is prevention through education. The highlight of many children’s early education is Sarge the Robot, one of two such devices that Myszenski takes to the kindergartners and first-graders.
“He’s sometimes more effective than I am,” she said of her mechanical partner. “They all love Sarge the Robot. He sings and dances and shows a video. He sticks in their minds with what he says.”
Older students are presented with topics appropriate for their age groups.
Law enforcement professionals from a variety of fields and levels are regularly invited to speak to high school students.
The cost of the programs in Rochester Hills is split between the schools and communities.
The unit also maintains and updates emergency response plans for every school building.
Parker said the goal is to eliminate myths of police work. Officers are regularly asked how many people have they shot. But most officers never pull the trigger anywhere other than the practice range.
“They have this misrepresentation of law enforcement,” Parker said. “We try to present the other side of the coin. We are your friends. We’re just like you.”