In 2023, Michigan helped schools improve safety with grants to support a school resource officer in the building. Three years later, Houghton-Portage Schools SRO Officer Kirk Mills has signed up for another three years.
He says it’s very rewarding working with the community’s students. His presence helps provide a visual representation of the security improvements made by the district.
“So I’m here. I respond to any kind of threat that was made, verbal or made online. I respond to that, investigate that with the school,” Mills said. “You know, I also go into classrooms and help reinforce why we have laws and rules and kind of just have them get to know me and get to know what police officers do. In-service days, usually at the beginning of the year, I will train teachers on run, hide, fight. We did it once two years ago and we’re doing it again this upcoming year just so they have better preparedness some kind of event were to happen.”
Days like field day are especially great days to go to work. At Houghton Elementary’s field day, Officer Mills shared a sweet treat with ice cream with students and faculty, with the help of Dunkin.
Mills adds that throughout the year he works closely with the district’s administrative team to address student conflicts and help train faculty for how to respond in an emergency.
