Cavaliere Named School Resource Officer of the Year

Officer John Cavaliere started a Students Against Drunk Driving chapter and a crime watch unit at .

His keen ability to build relationships with parents and students will be recognized at Tuesday’s School Board meeting when Cavaliere is named the district’s School Resource Officer of the Year.

“I was taken back because I had no idea I was up for an award,” Cavaliere, 47, said. “It’s very nice to get an award like this. There are good SROs all over this county and I’ve probably not done anything more than them. I was fortunate enough to get picked.”

Gary Schlereth, Countyside High’s principal, said that Cavaliere’s efforts should be modeled.

“We should model what he does in terms of how he works with kids, parents and the community,” said Gary Schlereth, Countyside High’s principal. “He’s not so quick to put handcuffs on a kid to send them to jail. He works things out with the parents and students.”

Last year when a Countyside High student was killed in his neighborhood, Cavaliere was there for the family, students and staff. He collected money and helped with the ceremony for Relay for Life. Cavaliere also collected money and stuffed animals for the “Share the Love” initiative.

“His sense of honor is apparent to anyone who interacts with him more than five minutes,” Cavaliere’s nomination letter said. “He has patience when dealing with unruly students and trespassers. When an administrator needs support, he is always there.”

Cavaliere is a 22-year veteran with the Clearwater Police Department and has worked at Countryside since 2005.

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