We at Van Buren Public Schools take school and student safety seriously, and we are very fortunate to have two school resource officers (SRO) to help in that effort.

Many districts do not have dedicated SROs, so we truly value ours – one of which is from Van Buren Township Police and the other from the City of Belleville Police.

SROs are sworn law enforcement officers responsible for safety in schools. They work closely with school personnel in an effort to create a safe environment for everyone.

The concept of community policing is important to both us and our local police forces. We want our students to see from a very young age how our police interact with them, interact with their peers and build a relationship with them throughout their time in our district.

We have had SROs in our district for many, many years. In order to pay for this privilege, we applied for a grant that pays for half of the VBT officer's salary, while we pay the other half. We have had an agreement with the City of Belleville for many years that we will pay $40,000 a year for SRO services.

We recently had a conversation with both SROs, to find out more about their backgrounds and get a glimpse into their experiences as a school resource officer. Be sure to check them out!

Pete Kudlak
Superintendent


SRO TIM STEWART

What influenced you to go into police enforcement?

As a kid I was always drawn to police work. My uncle is a police officer for Sterling Heights and his career influenced me. I enjoy the different types of work each day that are associated with the job and this makes coming to work new and interesting.

What drew you to the SRO position?

Police officers can have a very rewarding career but in most officers’ eyes, nothing is more important than protecting and looking after children. With the tragic events that have been happening around the nation, I see this as an opportunity to serve the community while protecting our most valuable assets, the kids who attend our schools.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Lake Orion and attended Lake Orion Schools, K-12. My mother’s family came to Michigan from New York and my father’s family came to Michigan from Massachusetts, but I have spent my whole life in Michigan.

What is your favorite part about this community?

The city of Belleville and the city of Lake Orion are very similar, so this town reminds me of home. I enjoy the city events and I enjoy seeing the support the community has for one another.

What are the common roles of school resource officers?

The school resource officer position has a plethora of responsibilities and roles. Some examples are managing traffic for the schools, ensuring bus safety, talking with students about rules and regulations, issuing citations for unacceptable behavior and improving the overall safety of the school.

What is one inspirational story you can remember as an SRO or as a police officer?

I have had limited time as an SRO but I have already come across a student who was not acclimating to the school. The student was refusing to do work and follow directions, and would routinely walk out of school. I was able to establish a rapport with this student and assist her. She not only started acclimating to the school but went on to join school programs and improve academically.

What police department do you work for and how long have you been there?

I work for the City of Belleville Police Department and have been here for about two years. Prior to Belleville, I worked for the Huron Township Police Department for one-and-a-half years.

What are your hobbies?

I have many hobbies and interests. I enjoy dirt biking, jet skiing, boating and hockey. I spend most of my time in the summer on the lake and most of the winter on the pond playing hockey or riding snowmobiles.

What is something you would like to do?

I would like to visit Ireland. My grandmother was born and raised there until she was 18 and will tell stories about her experiences while she was there. I have seen photographs of the area and can't wait to see it in person.


SRO JUAN VARGAS

What influenced you to go into police enforcement?

I came to America from Colombia, which has always made me feel grateful and appreciative for the opportunity of being here. I've always felt that I wanted to give something back to the country and the communities that gave me and my family so much, so becoming a police officer and serving the community was a no brainer.

What drew you to the SRO position?

I wanted to bridge the gap and get rid of the stigma that comes with being a police officer with the youth. I wanted to become a mentor and gain their trust through positive interactions. Ultimately in my career I have gained extensive knowledge and training that I knew I could use to keep the students and the staff safe.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Colombia. I moved to Florida and joined the military (U.S. Army). After the military, I moved to Michigan and joined the Detroit Police Department, where I worked in the gang enforcement unit. Later, I joined the Van Buren Police Department.

What is your favorite part of this community?

My favorite part of this community is to see how everyone comes together to support each other. Since working for Van Buren Township I have seen how this community has come together to support its citizens.

What are some common roles of a school resource officer?

In my opinion, my role as an SRO is to mentor the students and most importantly, keep them safe.

What police department do you work for and for how long?

I work for the Van Buren Township Police Department and have been employed with them for approximately two years.

What are your hobbies?

I love soccer, and enjoy riding my Harley motorcycle in my free time as well as spending time with my family.

List something you would like to do learn or visit.

I would like to learn another language, visit Ireland and go hiking more often.