First Day Back For Expanded School Officer Staff In Howell

HOWELL, NJ —School resource officers and special law enforcement officers will be as much a part of the township's school scene as students and teachers, and their first day back was recognized by the Police Department.

"School's back in session and so are we," a post about the officers said on the department's Facebook site, along with photos of the officers. "Our SROs and SLEO3 officers will be at the schools today to greet all the returning students," the post said.

The Township Council and the school district approved a shared services agreement this summer for the district to hire at least 12 officers, and up to 14 to 15, Township Manager Joe Clark said in July.

The state Department of Education in 2016 identified the need to expand security at schools and Howell began its SLEO 3 program in 2017, school officials said this summer.

While the exact cost of the extra personnel in the SLEO 3 program was being finalized, Clark said that "for the safety of children, no price is too high."

There are 10 elementary and 2 middle schools in the district. Howell High School is part of the Freehold Regional High School District.

The budget overall for the officers may reach $900,000, but that will be shared 50-50 by the township and the district, Clark said in a previous Patch article. He said the previous cost for the township was about $150,000.

The exact costs of the program will vary depending on training and equipment, he added.

"Our goal is to get the best service at the lowest cost, and we are getting world-class officers who will not need a lot of training," Clark said in July.

He said this summer that hiring 14 or 15 officers will provide flexibility to rotate in and out as needed, Clark said.

He added that, apart from the protection special officers provide, they form bonds with the students - they and "the kids become friends."