Concord Police Department: New School Resource Officers Announced

Press release from the Concord Police Department:

August 27, 2021

Chief Joseph O’Connor announces that Officers Derek Rodriguez and Cara Paladino have both recently successfully completed the National School Resource Officer training provided by the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Committee held in Randolph. Both Officers will both serve as School Resource Officers for the upcoming 2021-22 school year.

The mission of the School Resource Officer Program is based on the fundamental premise that when the schools, police, prosecutors, and other social services agencies work collaboratively and proactively, the safety, mental health, and well-being of children and youth are best served. By working together to educate the school community, coordinate efforts, and share information, the Concord Public & Concord-Carlisle Regional High School and the Police Department through the program strive to: (1) prevent violence involving the students; (2) prevent the use, abuse, and distribution of alcohol and other controlled substances involving students; (3) provide a safe, secure, violence-free, and nurturing environment.

The Officers will work as a team with each having primary responsibilities. Officer Rodriguez will be assigned to the Concord Middle School and Officer Paladino at the Concord-Carlisle Regional High School.

This press release was produced by the Concord Police Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.