Police chief receives cautious support from Township Council
By Greg Forester
Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR — Students at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South could see a uniformed and armed police officer in school next September after Police Chief Joe Pica received cautious support for the idea after a presentation to Township Council on Monday.
Chief Pica said the renewed interest in the proposal comes because the high school will have an opening in its security officer position next year following the officer’s planned retirement at the end of the school year.
The officer’s retirement would allow the district to commit $38,000 in funds from the position’s salary toward bringing a sworn officer to the school, working full time as the school resource officer. That money could be contributed to the first-year salary of a township police officer, around $49,000, according to Chief Pica.
He said the officer would not be used solely as a security guard but for a variety of services in the school, located off of Clarksville Road in the township.
”The officer would be used as a full-service uniformed officer in the school,” said Chief Pica. “I think it is extremely beneficial for the school, the department, and the residents.”
Township Business Administrator Christopher Marion said the position would be of great benefit to the community.
”It is an opportunity to partner with the schools to provide a positive police presence in the school,” said Mr. Marion. “It also doesn’t hurt to share the costs with the district.”
Some council members said they had concerns about assigning an officer to High School South without a similar position at High School North in Plainsboro, pointing out 40 percent of the township’s high school students attended classes at the Plainsboro facility.
”We have West Windsor students at both schools, so there should be an interest in having officers at both schools,” Councilwoman Linda Geevers said.
Councilwoman Heidi Kleinman said, “If it is important enough for South, than it is important enough for North.”
Mr. Marion said Plainsboro Township was not enthusiastic about having a Plainsboro officer stationed in High School North as a resource officer for that school.
Councilman George Borek, a Jersey City firefighter, said there were other benefits to having a sworn officer at the school.
”We would have a law enforcement presence there in case something happens at the school,” Mr. Borek said.
He said the resource officer would be able to communicate immediately with outside emergency services.
Councilman Charles Morgan said he supported the idea, but only after a careful examination of any funding arrangements between the school district and the township and any issues with High School North.
”I think this a great idea, but let’s go into it with our eyes wide open,” Mr. Morgan said.
Chief Pica said High School South was one of the few area schools without a uniformed officer working in the school.
Two schools in Montgomery Township currently have school resource officers, with the Upper Middle School having an officer for four years and Montgomery High for three.
”The reason we do it is because it provides an opportunity to interact with one of the community’s most important resources, Montgomery’s students,” said Montgomery Police Director Michael Beltranena. “It is also an incredible opportunity to do some teaching on government, the police, our laws and driving safety.”
Princeton High School does not have a uniformed school resource officer, although police officials said it would be a positive step to do so.
Mr. Marion said the administration would raise the officer idea with the Township Council again, most likely in January.

