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Page 2 <br /> <br />Now, more than ever, students need the kind of information, <br />guidance, and support the junior high D.A.R.E. Program offers. <br /> <br />While the D.A.R.E. Program stands on its own merits, the D.A.R.E. <br />officer provides many services to the school district that go <br />beyond presenting lesson plans. Some of them include: <br /> <br />Assisting teachers and administrators in disciplining <br />students. This includes handling disorderly or <br />uncooperative students. <br /> <br />Counseling students in a variety of ways, such as student <br />relations, career related issues, personal issues, and <br />many others. <br /> <br />Acting as a legal resource for teachers and <br />administrators in areas related to law enforcement, <br />criminal justice, and the procedures and positions of the <br />police department. <br /> <br />Acting as a juvenile investigator and school liaison <br />officer. This position includes all of the previously <br />mentioned duties in addition to investigating criminal <br />offenses involving students. These duties are also <br />carried out at the Area Learning Center (ALC). <br /> <br />These are a few examples of types of incidents and issues that the <br />D.A.R.E. officer becomes involved in on a regular basis. <br /> <br />As you can see, if this position is eliminated, the school district <br />loses much more than an instructor. While we are concerned about <br />the loss of the D.A.R.E. Program, we are equally concerned about <br />losing the juvenile investigator position. At times, the junior <br />high D.A.R.E. officer is able to spend one half of his work time <br />acting as an investigator/liaison officer. If this position is <br />lost, we feel that service to the school district will be adversely <br />affected. This would come at a time when the juvenile <br />investigator's activity is increasing. <br /> <br />I recognize that the budget process is a difficult task. No one <br />wants to see cuts made in their respective areas. I hope that I <br />have provided you with information that will be useful in this <br />process. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate <br />to call me. I would be happy to discuss this issue with you. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />Thomas D. Zerwas <br />Chief of Police <br /> <br />TDZ/kma <br /> <br /> <br />