A day in the life of a School Security Officer

Over the past 10 years, school security across the country has increased dramatically in response to 9/11, the Columbine shooting, and the Sandy Hook shooting.There once was a time where the all familiar A.L.I.C.E. training students know today was not in place, police officers did not roam the halls, and almost anyone could walk into the building.

Who does protect students on a daily basis at AHS, Harmon and Leighton? Officer Michelle Ice and Officer Chris Reiter report for duty everyday.

According to Officer Ice, “The average day is never average. Mostly our day is talking to guidance counselors, teachers and students about students that may be having a rough time in their home or making bad choices. Some of those choices may be criminal and some may just be helping them with options to make better choices.”

For both officers, their day is anything but uneventful; from making sure students get to school safely, performing drug sweeps and hanging out with students at lunch, they still find time to fight crime.

For example, “A couple days ago, we spent part of our day chasing a suspect that had stolen items from the Aurora Farms and ran from the police,” stated Officer Reiter.

While on duty, they both find time to form relationships and friendships with students because they believe establishing a connection with the student body is crucial for the community.

Officer Ice claims, “The day we look forward to the most is when Harmon Middle School is serving Grilled Cheese! We really like to sit and talk to students at their lunches and just get to know them. It also lets them ask us questions to get to know us as friendly and approachable. Leighton school is the best for hugs and smiles; sometimes we get to join in at Craddock School with Mrs. Jessel’s gym period and play with students.”

Senior Vince Leone states, “Officer Ice and Officer Reiter both take the time to get to know us as a student body. From friendly hellos in the hallway, 8th grade pizza eating contests, and simply helping individual students with issues, these two have proven themselves of showing interest of the well-being of students in the district.”

The officers’ main priority during the summer and periodic times throughout the school year is to train faculty members at all buildings the procedures for the A.L.I.C.E. program. The officers train faculty through mock scenarios and dilemmas, and require faculty to make decisions based on the A.L.I.C.E. program. They especially stress extra training for the main office because they believe that office is the front line to keeping students safe.

"We are grateful that our school and school district are able to collaborate with the Aurora Police Department to enable Officers Ice and Reiter to serve as Student Resource Officers. They play an important role in keeping our students and staff safe both with their presence and their help in regular training for us. As their title implies, they are a great resource for students and staff alike and have made themselves a vital part of our school climate," explains AHS principal Paul Milcetich.

Over the years, Officer Ice and Officer Rieter have had their fair share of interesting stories. For example, Officer Reiter explains, “Funny stories mostly come from the elementary students. They will ask whatever is on their mind and share stories from home that they think are police related; we always get students that tell us that their mom/dad speeds when they are driving the car. We are asked daily, by numerous students, if they can be tasered!”

Our schools can rest assured that we are being protected around the clock by our city’s best. A special thanks to Officer Ice and Officer Reiter for their daily commitment to keeping our schools safe.