Officer Edward C. Demers, Jr. Serves Region 15’s
 Middlebury Schools as School Resource Officer

For the past five years, Police Officer Edward C. Demers, Jr. has served Region 15’s Middlebury schools as a School Resource Officer (SRO) offering guidance and safety to students, administrators and parents. 

Officer Demers, a policeman for 14 years, is a full time police officer for the Town of Middlebury.  Although he works patrol duty to cover shortages or emergencies that arise, ninety-five percent of his time is spent in the Region’s Middlebury schools. 

“I have a great relationship with the staff, members of the community and with the students between all the schools,” says Officer Demers.  “Students don’t look at me like I’m there to arrest somebody.  They look at me as somebody they can talk to about anything.  These students look up to me as a role model and an extra resource,” he explains of his job.

With no fixed schedule, Officer Demers divides his time rotating among Middlebury Elementary School (MES), Long Meadow Elementary School (LMES), Memorial Middle School (MMS) and Alternative Education at Region 15’s Central Office.  During summer breaks, holidays, snow days, or when he and his police K-9, J.J. are needed, Officer Demers is on the streets.

The first three years of his services to the schools were funded through a Federal Grant, but his position is now paid solely by the Town of Middlebury with much of his own personal time, he says, donated to the job of SRO.

Law Enforcement Officer, Law Related Educator, Community Liaison and Positive Role Model are the components of his duties as an SRO.  He is well qualified to perform each role having completed SRO Beginner and Advanced training and having attended numerous classes related to such issues as Gang Violence, Date Rape, Drugs Among Teens, Juvenile Laws and Procedures and Safe School Initiatives.  He will participate in D.A.R.E. 2007 and attends quarterly meetings with other SROs from the State of Connecticut.

“Between all the schools, my number one concern is school safety,” he explains.  Officer Demers is in constant contact with all administrators, conducting building safety checks and assisting with traffic.  He serves on the committee which explores ways to improve school safety, including the practice of drills and emergency evacuations.

In addition to all of the duties of a police officer such as Threatening, Larcenies, Assaults, Computer Crimes, etc., Officer Demers assists the Guidance Department in some of their classes, meets with students on a daily basis to discuss school and home issues, answers general questions, lends assistance with truancy, and attends school field trips and after school functions.

In many instances he talks with administrators, staff and parents about ever-changing juvenile laws and rights.  Some of the programs he presents include topics such as Internet Safety, Bullying, Careers, Hate Crimes, Bicycle Safety, Stranger Danger, Halloween Safety, Criminal and Motor Vehicle Laws.

“Ed gets to know the children and they get to see that a policeman is a supportive and helpful person who is approachable when they have problems,” explained LMES Principal, Richard Gusenburg.  “A couple of years ago I had a very difficult group of fifth grade boys. Ed worked with them, often eating lunch with them, and helped them work out some of the problems they were encountering.”

According to Mr. Gusenburg, Officer Demers recently reviewed LMES building and security issues and provided specific suggestions as to how to tighten security.  “He is available for any concerns I have regarding issues in the community,” said Mr. Gusenburg.

“Having a School Resource Officer has a profound impact on our students and our school climate,” said MMS Principal John Sieller.  “Our SRO is here on an informal basis for students, parents, and the entire school staff to help problem solve, counsel, and advise.  He also helps the school staff be aware of events in the community that may impact the student body or overall school culture,” explained Mr. Sieller.

“Officer Demers involves himself in many activities with our students, and they get to know, trust, and respect him as part of our educational community. They realize he is here to maintain their safety and encourage their good judgment in and out of school,” he said.

In surveys at the Middle School, students are asked to name three people they would go to in the building, if they need to discuss a problem.  “The majority of students write S.R.O.,” said Officer Demers.  “Students from Middlebury have an SRO available to them from Kindergarten through 8^th grade.  It troubles me that they will not have that option when they get to the high school.”

When people ask Officer Demers why police officers are needed in schools he explains, “This position doesn’t just affect the schools, it affects the community,” he says.  “Why should we only send a police officer to a school when there is a problem? Placing a S.R.O. in a school building, builds a bond between the community and the police department.

If students only saw a police officer when something was wrong at school or at home, they would probably have scared or negative feelings toward them,” said Officer Demers.

Through this program, Officer Demers says students first see him as a person, out in the community with his family, in the cafeteria, in the hallways, on field trips, laughing and joking. 

   “I can’t say enough about the SRO programs, how schools throughout the country have adopted the program and how successful it has become today,” he said. 

Following in his Police Detective, father’s footsteps, Officer Demers always had an interest in becoming a police officer.  Raised in Waterbury until the age of 14, he now makes his home in Litchfield County with his wife of eleven years.  Although he has a five year old son and a 3 year old daughter, when asked how many children he has, Officer Demers answers, “1,500”.

“The School Resource Officer position has definitely made me a better father as I have learned on a daily basis what children need from us as parents,” he says.  “It begins at home.”