By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer

CALERA – The Calera Police Department announced on Friday, Oct. 20 that their School Resource Officer Unit has grown to the point that now allows for complete coverage of the city’s schools.

This announcement follows the swearing in of Officer Kevin Brand to the SRO unit during a regular City Council Session on Oct. 16. Brand, who carries 24 years of law enforcement experience, is the latest to serve the city and the department in the ranks of the SRO Unit, which now includes seven officers.

“We finally have a complete unit in place including an SRO Sergeant,” said Calera Police Chief David Hyche. “Just three years ago we had two SROs covering our four schools.”

Brand’s inclusion has resulted in the unit now being able to offer full coverage for the city’s schools with no lapses in oversight or coverage. This milestone marks a long sought for achievement that represents the CPD’s ability to provide full and protective coverage for Calera’s students.

“The relationship with our school administrators and County administrators is excellent, and we are constantly working as a team to make our schools as safe as possible,” Hyche said.

This recent success in growing the ranks of the SRO unit has been a goal of the CPD for some time, with efforts of hiring full and part-time SRO officers having entered full swing in June 2022.

Throughout this time, the CPD has stressed experience and confidence from applicants to the unit and had rejected multiple applications in their search for the officers best equipped to protect the city’s most precious resource. It was a long and dedicated process, but one whose completion was received with great satisfaction and thanks from city residents on social media.

“Thank you for your patience as we worked to put the pieces in place,” Hyche said. “We have hired the best of the best. If my kids were in danger there is no group I would rather have protecting them. Nothing we do is more important than the safety and security of our children.”