Jeff Kriska is New SRO at Sperreng Middle School

There’s a new sheriff in town but students at Lindbergh’s Sperreng Middle School will find he’s as easy going and friendly as their former Student Resource Officer (SRO).

St. Louis County Police Officer Jeff Kriska took over as Sperreng’s SRO last month after Police Officer Mike Kaufman was reassigned as a detective in the department’s Auto Crime Unit.

Kriska, with nine years on the job, most recently riding a beat in the South County Precinct, says he applied for an SRO position months ago and finally got the call at the end of 2010.

He’s worked with middle school age kids before, serving as an SRO at Parkway South High School when he worked at the Manchester Police Department, and he says he looks forward to the challenges he’ll face when encountering Sperreng’s over 1,200 students on a daily basis.

“This is interesting, that’s for sure,” Kriska said. “It’s mostly just getting out and interacting and intervening with these kids. You just let them know you’re here and show them you’re not just a police officer but someone they can come and talk to.”

“Just because I wear this uniform doesn’t mean anything,” he said. “I can be a friend to you too, and help you with whatever you need. I’m not just here to enforce the laws, I’m here to also be a guidance counselor basically.”

Kriska and his wife, Laura, live in Fenton with their two children, Tyler, 4, and Zachary, 2. In his free time Kriska golfs and plays soccer as a member of the St. Louis Police Soccer Club, which participates in the North American Police Soccer Championships.

He also has some insight into young’s people’s problems, as he and his wife have two young sons.

“I get a lot of kids who come in here and talk to me about problems they’re having at home,” Kriska said. “They feel comfortable enough to come in and talk to me.”

He’s a fixture in the hallways as the bell rings and the school floods with students exchanging classrooms. And beginning with 2011-12 school year he’ll split his time between Sperreng and the new Truman Middle School.

Some of the programs started under Kaufman’s watch, such as the Navigator’s club, have been put on hold for the time being.

“I want to get my feet wet, get to know the kids and then we’ll go from there,” he said. “I am looking forward to my change in assignment as a new experience and a chance to work with students.”