Troopers building relations

In the News

A new initiative among Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers in the area has begun with the goal of uniting school administrators, staff, and students with local law enforcement.

Public Information and Education Officer Jake Angle said beginning immediately, state troopers in Troop H are encouraged to stop and visit local schools when time permits.

Troop H is based out of St. Joseph and serves the northwestern Missouri counties of Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, and Worth.

“It’s not going to be a set schedule, with officers at a particular school on a particular day,” Angle said. “We’re encouraging the road officers, when they have some extra time, to walk into the school, make contact with the office, or even eat lunch with the kids.”

Angle said he believes it is important for students to know their local officers and “be more comfortable being around a uniform.”

“We think it’s good for students to see an officer from their area that they may see out on the road any given day,” Angle said. “The goal is to be seen and reassure the schools that we’re there if they ever need us.”

The initiative is also meant to help officers familiarize themselves with the school districts’ buildings, layout, and staff in case an emergency was to arise.

Nodaway-Holt District Superintendent Karma Coleman said she thinks the initiative will have a positive impact on the school.

“I think it’s great,” Coleman said. “It’ll help kids see law enforcement in a positive light.”

She said that although she hopes an emergency requiring state patrol response never occurs at Nodaway-Holt, it will be reassuring to know that state troopers are familiar with the school.

“In the event that we need them for security, they’ll be very in tune to what’s happening in the building,” Coleman said.

She added that state trooper presence in the school would allow for students “to learn about law enforcement as a career possibility.”

Angle hopes that forming closer connections with school administrators will lead to more educational programs for students as well.

The highway patrol is available for schools to schedule programs about traffic or personal safety issues such as seat belt use, distracted driving, and staying safe around strangers.

Schools can also utilize state troopers to help with intruder drills and preparing for the possibility of an active shooter situation.

“We want to offer schools the opportunity to have us come in and give those presentations,” Angle said.