National Resource Officer day was Wednesday and Levelland ISD and the Levelland community recognized their two school resource officers.
Officers Cory Foley and Joshua Rincones have taken the responsibility of watching over six active campuses and multiple school district buildings.
A well-known officer for the City of Levelland, Foley has been a part of the Levelland Police Department for 17 years.
Now in his sixth year as an SRO, Foley explained that the position is something he has enjoyed since year one.
Rincones has been serving the Levelland community for the better part of four years. In his first year as a SRO, Rincones was approached with the opportunity as Foley’s previous partner was transitioning out of the position and getting back into patrol.
Rincones explained that making the switch from patrolling the streets to watching over the schools has its perks, but the main thing is the differences.
“There are a lot of things that go on in schools that people don’t realize and it’s definitely not the easiest transition,” said Rincones.
With school safety being one of the biggest hot topics in the state legislature and across school districts, proper training and required classes are needed to be completed for the positions. Ranging from a basic school resource officer class, school based law enforcement classes and alert training which is for any kind of active shooter is required of each RSO.
“When the opportunity came for me to take the position, I wasn’t aware of all the necessary courses and requirements that were needed, but it coincides with the amount of things that go on in schools and the preparation needed to do the job properly,” explained Rincones.
The partnership between Levelland PD and Levelland ISD has continued to grow and that is in part due to Officers Foly and Rincones engaging with administration, staff and importantly students.
“The school district treats us really well and the work well with the police department,” said Rincones. “If were ever need anything they are there to assist, but with recent events in some schools, we know they are more than willing to work with us to provide a safe environment for everyone involved.”
For both Rincones and Foley, working with the kids and being a part of their everyday routine is something they both enjoy.
Foley explained that they try to spend as much time as they can at the elementary’s and allow for the kids to get to know them better and create a safe space the children can excel in.
“There are times that we will go and have lunch with the kids or participate in the different events they might be having that day at the school, but it is all for kids and their benefit,” explained Foley. “It is a great feeling knowing that the little ones feel safe and comfortable around us when we are able to visit all the campuses.”
Active shootings on campuses has been a big topic of discussion for the state.
With Rincones accepting the position of RSO during a time where discussions of preventing such horrific events or the idea that it could happen anywhere, he has had to fight that thought on more than one occasion.
“When I first got into this it was overwhelming because when you are on patrol you have anybody and everybody on standby since you are working with more people,” explained Rincones. “It’s just Officer Foley and I covering six campuses and the remaining buildings within the district.”
For Rincones, he explained that there was certainly a lot of pressure because something could happen at any time in various locations.
“I try not to think about that because you can definitely get wrapped into it if you let it,” said Rincones. “We are definitely prepared for it and we have to be. There is a reason we go to as many trainings and classes as we can because we want to provide that security for the district and all those involved with it.”