Hollister - From Banana Slug to Haybaler, San Benito County sheriff's deputy Terri Edwards has gone back to school.
A three-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office, Edwards joined deputy Rich Brown last week in the county's school resource officer division. Before coming to the office, the 35-year-old Edwards worked at the University of California, Santa Cruz police department for five years.
"She's a perfect fit for the job because she has prior experience working with students," San Benito County Undersheriff Pat Turturici said.
Brown and Edwards will split time between San Benito High School and San Andreas School. Turturici said Brown, who handled school resource officer duties for every school in the county, was stretched too thin. With Edwards on board, the two can make home visits to students with three or more absences and work to cut gang activity on campus, the undersheriff said.
The school resource officer position was created to help the Sheriff's Office and school districts prevent potential problems on campuses and act as a liaison between students and law enforcement.
The Sheriff's Office pays for half of the position while the San Benito County Office of Education pays for the other half. The added position may mean added security for county campuses.
There have been fewer fights at San Benito High School since Brown became the school resource officer, Turturici said.
Mike Sanchez, assistant superintendent with the San Benito County Office of Education in charge of alternative education and special programs, said the addition of Edwards is a huge step.
"Even though it's two people, you've doubled that department," Sanchez said. "She has a positive attitude. She wants to provide service."
Sanchez said Edwards also can provide career advice for students interested in entering law enforcement.
Edwards believes it is better that students know the deputies as a resource - not just when they get in trouble, she said.
"I think this program is really important for the community and the kids who go to school here," said Edwards, who lives in Hollister with her husband, Chris Cunningham.
The new school resource officer would like to see the program grow. Eventually, she wants to get into classrooms to interact with students.
A week into the new job, Edwards recognizes that dealing with adolescents, as opposed to college students, has its own set of unique challenges.
"It's definitely an adjustment from patrol," Edwards said.
Michael Van Cassell Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335.
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