For many people, interactions with law enforcement are limited to what they see on the news or during difficult situations. The Southgate Police Department is helping change that perception by fostering relationships, building trust and creating a safer environment within the Southgate Community School District through their school resource officers (SROs).

The department reintroduced its SRO program approximately six years ago.

“We haven’t had a school resource officer since probably the late ‘90s or early 2000s, and at that time it was a D.A.R.E. officer, who was geared more toward teaching kids about the dangers of drugs and drug use,” said Southgate Police Chief Mark Mydlarz.

When the SRO position returned during the beginning stages of COVID, it was up to Officer Morgan Parrish to build the position from the ground up.

“There really wasn’t a roadmap for her since there was no one who had been in that position before at our department,” Chief Mydlarz said. “She really took the role and embraced it, and I can’t say enough about what an outstanding job she’s done.”

Officer Parrish wore many hats in her role as SRO. Chief Mydlarz described her as a mentor and a counselor as well as someone who’s there to keep the school safe and secure.

“She’s fostered community engagement and has been able to put our department in a positive light, showing professionalism and cooperation with the district and community,” he said.

The department, with their community relations team, began assisting the schools with their field trip days to connect with the community. Early on in her tenure, Officer Parrish organized an annual backpack drive where 1,000 backpacks were given to students at the first home football game of the year.

Since the reintroduction of the SRO position, the relationship between law enforcement and the community in Southgate has grown stronger thanks to Officer Parrish’s commitment to the students.

“It was interesting going into a position where nobody had been, but I knew that I wanted to make it the best that it could ever be,” Parrish said. “I wanted all those kids to know that I loved them, that they were cared for and that they were safe at school.”

Though she didn’t have anyone to train her in her position, Officer Parrish was inspired by the SRO she had when she was growing up, and made it her mission to ensure the students, staff, parents and families knew they were protected and loved.

With her career shifting this year, Officer Parrish will transition back to patrol and Officer Chris Parsons will transition into the SRO position when school starts in September.

Having coached youth sports in Southgate for the past five years, Officer Parsons is looking forward to getting to work with the kids he’s coached each day and making connections with students to continue to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community.

“I feel like if you can reach the kids at a younger age, it helps as they get older,” Officer Parsons said. “They know they can come talk to you and it builds trust.”

Southgate’s SROs go above and beyond just maintaining a safe learning environment. They are dedicated to serving each student with care, compassion and partnership with the community.