School resource officers will return to Lakota, Butler Tech

A West Chester Police cruiser is positioned outside Hopewell Elementary on Cox Road. The department’s partnership with Lakota Local Schools dates back nearly two decades. CONTRIBUTED

A West Chester Police cruiser is positioned outside Hopewell Elementary on Cox Road. The department’s partnership with Lakota Local Schools dates back nearly two decades. CONTRIBUTED

West Chester Twp. will again partner with local schools to provide School Resource Officers for the 2017-18 school year, according to West Chester Twp. spokesperson Barbara Wilson.

West Chester Police Department officers will provide safety services to the Lakota Local School District and Butler Tech.

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The township has contracted with Lakota for nearly 20 years to provide school resource officers. This is the second year the department has expanded to offer services for Butler Tech students and staff at the BioScience Center in West Chester.

“We look forward to continuing to build relationships with and provide peace-of-mind to families as they send their children and young adult students back to school this fall,” said Police Chief Joel Herzog.

“This partnership with Lakota and Butler Tech has been a win-win for years, allowing officers to build positive and meaningful relationships with parents, students, staff and school administration. These relationships, in turn, enhance our general policing efforts within the greater community,” Herzog said.

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The agreement with Lakota includes five officers who will spend time circulating campuses in West Chester, predominantly Lakota West High School and Lakota West Freshman building; Hopewell Junior School; and various elementary schools.

The agreement with Butler Tech includes one officer who will spend up to five hours per week at the school’s BioScience Center in West Chester.

The school districts pay for a portion of officer compensation and benefits as part of the agreement.

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