The Middleborough Police Department and Middleborough Public Schools continue to lead the way in school safety thanks to a strong working relationship. Officer Steve Valerio, Officer Zachary Porter and Officer Brian Wiksten are assigned as the three School Resource Officers. Middleborough School Resource Officers are members of the following community groups: District Emergency Response Team (D.E.R.T.), Middleborough Matters, and the Sachem Supporters. They also assist fellow D.E.R.T. members in training staff and students in Active Threat Response protocols.
The School Resource Officers act under the TRIAD Concept: Law Enforcement Officer, Counselor/Mentor and Teacher/Guest Speaker. The goal of the program is to provide safe learning environments in the schools, provide valuable resources to school staff, foster positive relationships with the students and to assist in developing strategies to help resolve problems affecting our students. These goals are met in the following ways: being a visible law enforcement presence on campus, being a classroom resource for students and staff, working together with school administrators to solve problems, building relationships with students and being a resource for parents as well as students and teachers for any law-related concerns or questions.
The Middleborough Police in collaboration with the schools participate in “High Five Friday” events. These events take place across all five schools and attendance usually includes members of the Middleborough Police Department, Middleborough Fire Department and Coastal Ambulance. This is a great community building event that kids, educators and first responders all enjoy equally. The SRO’s also take part in DARE camp during the summer with some students from the community. These students are usually entering 6th grade and are mentored by Middleborough High School Juniors and Seniors to show kids healthy alternatives to having fun and staying drug and alcohol free.
Officer Porter, Officer Valerio and Officer Wiksten are involved in several different extracurricular activities. Officer Valerio organized and leads an after-school program called the Junior Police Club at the MKG and HBB elementary schools, where students participate in eight weeks of lessons focused on safety at school, home, and in our community. Programs like this not only teach practical safety skills but also emphasize compassion, teamwork, and the value of building connected communities. Officer Porter contributes to MHS as a volunteer assistant coach for the varsity baseball team, mentoring students and building positive relationships with law enforcement. Officer Wiksten continues to lead the freshman basketball team as their head coach, allowing him to foster relationships with students on and off the court. Officer Wiksten with the assistance of Officer Porter has developed a curriculum-based mentor program allowing students to learn about the different aspects of law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
School Resource Officers (SROs) have become a unique and engaging incentive for school fundraisers and education programs, helping to motivate students and support school initiatives. By making themselves approachable and relatable, SROs help foster a sense of community, trust, and enthusiasm within schools.