Gloucester Township Police SRO Dedicated To Fight Against Drugs

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — In the aftermath of a shooting that killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, there has been a lot of discussion about armed police officers in schools, and even arming teachers, in schools.

The Gloucester Township Police Department has been introducing the public to its School Resource Officers (SRO), and Patch is featuring their profiles. Today's profile is of Jason Smith.

"Ptl. Jason Smith started his law enforcement career as a SLEO I for Gloucester Township in the beginning of 2010. He then transitioned to a corrections officer in Camden County in the same year. After a brief stint in corrections Ptl. Smith was hired as a full time officer for Gloucester Township in 2011.

"In 2014 Ptl. Smith was transferred from the Patrol Bureau to the Community Relations Bureau and trained as a L.E.A.D. Officer. Law Enforcement Against Drugs (L.E.A.D.) is committed to protecting our youth and communities from the proliferation of drugs, drug related crimes, peer to peer/cyber bullying and violence. He teaches the L.E.A.D. program to Gloucester Township students at the 5th and 7th grade level.

"He also teaches S.I.P. (Student Improvement Program) to K-4th grade students. Ptl. Smith is a Physical Training Instructor and is one of the instructors for the Gloucester Township Police Junior Police Academy. During the summer months he also does community outreach with the Gloucester Township game truck. Ptl. Smith is a proud resident of Gloucester Township and enjoys spending time with his family at the parks and recreational areas in town. He is excited to continue serving with the Gloucester Township Police Department and educate the children of the community."

Read about Gloucester Township SRO John McHugh here.

Read about Gloucester Township SRO Jose Melendez here.

Read about Gloucester Township SRO Charles DeWalt here.

Read about Gloucester Township SRO Kevin Schultz here.

The attached images of Jason Smith were provided by the Gloucester Township Police Department