Special Police Officers On Patrol At All Fair Lawn Schools
FAIR LAWN, NJ October 3 2018— Parents and students may have noticed an increased police presence at borough schools this year.
Eleven Class Three Special Law Officers, seven full-time and four part-time, have been hired to provide security at the borough’s nine schools.
Special law officers provided security at the middle schools last year during a trial run of the program. The Board of Education and the Fair Lawn Police Department initiated a shared services agreement to have a law enforcement presence at all schools.
“The primary goal of a class three officer is first foremost to provide security and safety for each school,” said Police Chief Glen Cauwels. “Our second goal is to portray a positive image to students and let them know we are always here to help.”
Special class three officers receive the same training as fully sworn police officers and must complete the safe school officer and active shooter training. They have full police powers, carry firearms, and report directly to Cauwels.
School District Superintendent Nick Norcia said the feedback on the officers has been positive.
“Our students are high-fiving the officers, creating welcome posters and artwork for the officers’ desks, and I’ve heard reports from principals that officers are playing hopscotch with the elementary school kids and reading to them in class,” Norcia said. “Parents are thanking the officers at drop-off times. They’ve become a welcoming and reassuring presence in our schools.”
The officers are part of a broader safety initiative taken by the school district. This includes a three-tier mental health program with clinicians at every school and a new social emotional curriculum that was implemented this year.
