SROs on campus in South Lake Tahoe: More than a police officer

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - School Resource Officers, or SROs, have been a recent topic of conversations in the community with some residents questioning the need for an armed officer on South Lake Tahoe campuses.

The word "resource" gives one an insight into their position - a resource for the students, and not only at school. A resource for the parents. A resource for the school district. A resource for the school.

And the job doesn't end there.

"We build relationships," said South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) officer Anton Kushlan who is the SRO at South Tahoe High (STHS) during the school year.

SROs are specially selected and trained. Kushlan has his teaching credential and in fact did his student teaching at STHS. He is comfortable in both the classroom, in the halls, school grounds and in the community. Kushlan has twice been honored with the department's Meritorious Service award.

The newest SRO is Jason Nixon, a 1998 STHS graduate who was sworn in as an officer with SLTPD at the end of 2018. He was a staff sergeant in the Air Force, and worked in the family business, Nixon's Heating Air Conditioning and Plumbing before joining SLTPD. He is a local kid's sports coach. The married father of three will be at South Tahoe Middle School (STMS) when school resumes.

"Our job isn't punitive in nature," explained Kushlan. "We occupy space with three roles - mentor, counselor and educator. Law enforcement is the last resort. We are not here to discipline. Kids sometimes just need someone to talk to."

"The SRO relationships and connection with the school, and connection with the kids are important," said new Lake Tahoe Unified School Superintendent Dr. Todd Cutler. "It is different that the relationship with the officers in the general public."

While Cutler is new to the position in South Lake Tahoe, he is not new to the position of an SRO. He has worked in districts that had varying degrees of security on campuses from actual school district police officers to the local police department coming by schools.

"I understand how sensitive the issue is with social justice but it is important the positive relationships with schools and SROs remain," said Cutler. "Don't look at them that they are police, look at it as you are building a safe environment."

During our interview, Kushlan modeled the new SRO uniform, a more casual look and not as imposing as the normal officer's attire. In the picture above, he has on the new uniform (on the left) while Nixon is wearing what they used to have on campus. Yes, there is still a weapon, but it is securely fastened with a safety device. In their roll they protect the children and staff, and an armed officer can do that effectively.

"We live in a country where there are school shootings," explained Kushlan. The SROs have trained with the FBI on an active shooter response. "The SRO is a critical part of that response," he added.

As we were sitting down to discuss their roles, Kushlan was in the middle of helping a student who was in crisis. There was no school, it was a sunny day in July, but that student and his family reached out to the officer because of the relationship started on campus.

"He knows and trusts me," said Kushlan who was able to talk to the student in person and calm him down.

"Even if no school, the students are connecting with the cops," said Kushlan on the importance of the relationships with the kids.

The officers on campus are also sometimes the first person a student who has been the victim of child abuse or sexual abuse come to.. They reach out to the person they feel most comfortable with discussing their situation.

In a recent abuse case against a teacher at STHS, Kushlan was the person the students came to. The investigation turned into an arrest and now pending court proceedings.

"The friends of victims of child abuse will come tell the SRO first," said Kushlan.

Nixon said he is looking forward to his new role at STMS. He grew up with an SRO on campus and will expand upon that role and build relationships. What he starts at the middle school will carry on to the high school, and students will know who they can turn to.

Kushlan goes into classrooms, helps kids with homework during on-campus suspension, and plays a game of soccer during lunch. Something Nixon is looking forward to as well.

Some students get in trouble, that is a given.

"We want to guide them enough so when kids hit that fork in the road there is a familiar face they can trust that helps them choose the right path," explained Kushlan.

STHS Vice Principal Justin Zunino has worked in public education for 22 years, the last five in South Lake Tahoe. He has worked with Kushlan and his predecessor, both who he has observed in being consistent in their approach to school safety and their role as law enforcement officers that work with the youth of South Lake Tahoe.

Zunino said he sees the role of an SRO as proactive support and outlined their roles on campus and in the community:

- Educator/Guest lecturer on topics around vaping, controlled substances, and safe internet practices
- Provides mentor-like support/advice for non school-related matters
- Assists in problem resolution among students and families and/or family to family
- Responds to community concern regarding student-related reportings
- Collaborates with school and other agencies in planning actions related to individual students
- Advises in school safety planning and exercises
- Provides traffic monitoring and enforcement on and around campuses
- Liaisons to other agencies
- Offers opportunities for students to get to meet and greet during break, lunch, and other unstructured times

The new SRO position that Nixon is filling is being funded by a grant offered by a Tobacco Education and Enforcement grant. It comes from the $2 per pack charge levied on cigarettes in 2016 in California. When school isn't in session Nixon and Kushlan fill other roles in SLTPD. This summer, Kushlan is part of the new Homeless Outreach Team and Nixon is on patrol. During the months school is in session their pay is reimbursed to the City by LTUSD.