Kernersville Honors 500 Police Officers

Kernersville Honors 500 Police OfficersContributed

This summer, when public media seemed bent on beating up the police, the people of Kernersville were busy supporting officers.  Specifically, 100 businesses in town donated $100 or more to sponsor 500 books for a statewide training of officers who work in North Carolina’s schools.

Kevin Bugg at State Farm Insurance said, “The SROs (School Resource Officers) here in Kernersville helped both of my children through difficult times.  If we can help SROs throughout the State with some things we have learned here in Kernersville, I want to do that.”

Mac Allen, at Havoline Xpress Lube & Service, took it one step further when he said, “I have the upmost respect for law enforcement willing to work in our schools and in our communities.  It is not a job that I would choose for myself, so I am happy to give them all the support that I can.”

The training took place on July 13, 2015 at the NCASRO Annual Conference in Sunset Beach, NC.  Based on the local book, Under the Influence: The Town That Listened to Its Kids, and presented by the author Patty Jo Sawvel—the six-hour “Cope, Connect, Control” program showed officers how to use key stories in the book to address the top 10 stressors of students today.

SRO Roger Taylor from Clinton, NC, said, “The training and the book gave me new and fresh ideas to help me deal with the many problems that our young people face.  I have already used some of the ideas since the school year began.”

As noted above, SROs do more than keep students safe at school.  They also reach out to them as positive adult role models and mentors—becoming a critical part of the “village.”  Still, some students slip through the cracks and make irreversible decisions.  That is what moved Danny Jefferson, owner of Pierce Jefferson Funeral Service, to sponsor complimentary Under the Influence e-books to supplement the hardcover.

“I know that SROs save lives,” Danny Jefferson said.  “If this tool—the book—can give officers across the State more tools to save just one more life, I want to make that happen.” (To see Danny’s video message to officers and hear a list of Kernersville’s 100 Heroes visit, YouTube.com and search: 100 Heroes help Police Kernersville.)

SRO Shane Woodall is the current president of NCASRO.  He just received the National School Resource Officer of the Year award for the work he has done with special needs students in the Rockingham County Schools.

SRO Woodall said, “I want to personally thank Kernersville for sponsoring books for our 500 officers.  And I want to thank Patty Jo Sawvel for bringing all her enthusiasm and ideas to jumpstart our conference.”

For more information on “Cope, Connect, Control” communication training programs contact Patty Jo Sawvel at pjsawvel@gmail.com or call 336.906.7238.  Copies of the book are available at Amazon.com.

 

 

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