MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Earlier this month, West Creek Elementary School SRO, Officer Falencik started the Kid Patrol at his school as a way of helping kids develop responsibility and self-esteem.

Participating students receive a whistle and a yellow vest with ‘kid patrol’ on the back. They assist Falencik in his morning routine, checking to make sure that outside doors are locked and that students get to class safely. The process takes approximately 20-25 minutes.

The program also helps to build a healthy relationship between police and younger members of the community.

“This program is about trying to make younger children excited and happy to see law enforcement and not to be scared or nervous around them.”

As of now, the Kid Patrol has only one member, but Officer Falencik hopes to see expand the program to include more students who could benefit from participating.

“We have seen an increase in self-esteem and an identity within the school for these students and an identity within the school for these students and definitely they are more thoughtful about their own behaviours because their part of the safety patrol,” said West Creek Elementary School Principal Lynne Rains.

Falencik hopes the program will help students learn responsibility. Students who are late, or who forget their uniform do not get to participate for the day. Currently, the program accepts fourth and fifth graders who are nominated by admins or teachers.

Before becoming an SRO in September, 2019, Falencik served with Clarksville Police Department seven for years. He believes that his role within the school extends beyond safety and works to help students feel like part of the community.

“I feel that the SRO in an Elementary School setting is not just for security and protection, but also for education and to help bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community,” said Falencik.

Kid Patrol is one of many programs instituted by SRO Officers to help students. These include the Eddie the Eagle Safe Gun Program for PreK- – first grade. This is the first year that every school in Clarksville-Montgomery County School System