(STURGIS) – Sturgis Public Schools has a second School Resource Officer for 2023-2024.

During their meeting on Monday, the Sturgis Board of Education was introduced to Officer Noel Jimenez, who will be the part-time Resource Officer for the District’s elementary schools. Director of Public Safety Ryan Banaszak approached the Board of Education early this year about applying for a Community Oriented Policing or COPS Grant to help fund the position, and Sturgis was awarded the funding.

Banaszak explains what the goals are for Jimenez in this position. ...... {LISTEN}.

That could be reading to them, spending time with them at lunch and recess and creating that bond with the kids and school staff.

Jimenez, who has been with the Sturgis Police Department for 22 years, says he is looking forward to this new role. ...... {LISTEN}.

Both Jimenez and the full-time School Resource Officer Sam Watson attended training sessions over the summer to be better prepared for the new school year.