Campus Cop

Alabama Baldwin County From police cruiser to the classroom....Foley cop takes on new challenge as school resource officer

by Pat Peterson

Published: Mon, August 11, 2008 - 5:32 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, August 11, 2008 - 5:44 pm CST

A Foley police officer has traded in his police cruiser for a set of classroom keys. Labron Williams is the new school resource officer at Foley Middle School. Williams has an office near the principal's office and will be stationed at the school five days a week.

"I'm hoping to make a difference in the lives of students," says Williams. "We want to reach out to these students early and get them on the right path before high school. We want to let them know we're not just here to make arrests, but we're here to help them."

Williams will also patrol Foley's three other schools this year.

"With an increased police presence on campus, schools will be safer," says Williams.

Teachers and administrators tell News 5 they can already see a difference on campus.

"Having Officer Williams here is a blessing," says Foley Middle School principal Branton Bailey. "Most situations we can handle as administrators but it's good to have an officer here on campus."

"Students can now concentrate on their learning and their studies," says teacher Melanie Bishop. "And now they don't have to worry about bullies or any other problems from students. The officer is right down the hall from us."

Officer Williams was nationally certified as a school resource officer this summer. The Foley Police Department could hire more school resource officers in the future.

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DEBRA Says:

Tue, Aug 12, 2008 at 7:02 am

Foley got a great officer. I was sadd to see him leave Bay Minette. He is good with the child and see’s no color and is fair to all.Beleve me he is will train to carry his weapons.Mr Williams keep up the good work…..

sweetnsour Says:

Tue, Aug 12, 2008 at 12:27 am

Well I think the law was aimed at students who were untrained in thug enforcement and snuck them in. Students are not old enough or trained enough the bring a weapon into the school house. This is a trained individual who is old enough to own a license to operate a gun and is properly trained. Thugs on drugs don’t like that and that was probably money well spent. This man just has to be there to make a difference. It’s about time the school system spent their money on something that is going to be effective.

driller jeff Says:

Mon, Aug 11, 2008 at 9:22 pm

on the news story i noticed that the officer is in violation of federal law NO WEAPONS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY why is an officer imune to this law