Recently, officers with the Benton Police Department attended the Arkansas Safe Schools Conference in North Little Rock. This was the 10th year for this conference to be held and the purpose of it is to provide officers and school administrators with information and ideas to help keep children safe in their learning environment.
During the conference there are leadership awards presented in various divisions. One of the divisions is the Safe Schools Leadership Award for Chiefs and Sheriffs, which is presented in recognition of a law enforcement executive who has made a significant contribution to their School Resource Officer (SRO) program. Chief Kirk Lane was the 2014 award winner for his commitment to the SRO program with accomplishments such as adding an SRO supervisor, additional training for SRO’s, and securing a $15,000 security upgrade grant last school year.
Another leadership award division is the Safe Schools Leadership Award for the Larance Johnson Education Administrator of the Year. This award is presented in recognition of a school administrator who has made a significant contribution to their SRO program. The 2014 award winner was Jeff Collum, the Benton School District Superintendent, who was recognized for his commitment to the SRO program and overall measures taken to provide a safe and secure environment for the children in our district.
School Resource Officer Quinton Jackson was nominated and a finalist for the SRO of the Year Award. As a finalist for the award he was recognized and presented with a plaque for his dedication to the Benton School District. There was also contest for the Safe Schools Conference “Best In Show” Car Contest for the most innovative school resource vehicle. The BNPD “Panther” Ford Mustang, which is driven by Sgt. Stuart, won the 2014 car contest title.
This program is sponsored by the University of Arkansas Criminal Justice Institute who developed the Arkansas Safe Schools Association. The association selected these award winners from nominations across the state of Arkansas.
L to R: Lt. Russell, Ofc. Shell, Ofc. Jackson, Ofc. Bedsole, Chief Lane, Superintendent Collum
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