Marcus High School Students Begin School Year with First Highland Village Police Department School Resource Officer

Corporal David Harney has been selected as the first Highland Village Police Department School Resource Officer assigned to Marcus High School. Over one-third of the population at Marcus High School is made up of students from Highland Village. Corporal Harney’s goal is to be a familiar point of contact for Highland Village students. “I am here just for them and want them to feel welcome to come by and talk to me,” said Corporal Harney.

Corporal Harney was selected as the Marcus High School Resource officer by a panel made up of those he will represent. The panel consisted of a Marcus High School student, a representative from the Highland Village business community, Highland Village elementary and middle school resource officer April Roppolo, Mayor Dianne Costa and Mayor Pro Tem Scott McDearmont. “Knowing that Highland Village has approximately 1000 students attending Marcus High School, I thought it was important to have a public safety presence that works from a proactive approach,” stated Mayor Costa. “We are known for our community policing and there is no better place to start than with our youth; we look forward to a collaborative relationship between the Marcus High School Resource Officers to provide a positive influence for our high school students.”

Marcus High School currently has School Resource Officers from other cities and Corporal Harney will work in conjunction with these officers to provide a comprehensive crime prevention program that will benefit everyone. The program will give officers a chance to connect with the students during their high school experience. “I have an open-door policy; if the kids want to come talk to me, they can walk in at any time and we can pinpoint problems they have,” said Harney.

Corporal Harney will act as the school resource officer for three days a week and act as a business liaison for the remaining two. As a school resource officer, Harney will disseminate information to Highland Village students about crime prevention. The program’s objectives are to build positive relationships with the students and serve as an outlet for those who have any issues or concerns. By serving as a role model to the students, Harney can teach them about crime and how to avoid it. “I want to be a positive influence for them and be a part of them becoming adults and making good decisions,” said Harney.

As a business liaison for Highland Village, Harney will establish direct contact with businesses to help them with their needs. He will educate businesses in the area on methods to prevent crime and he’ll check for any potential criminal activity such as lighting in parking areas, security locks and alarms. The corporal will be available to answer any security-related questions that may occur in the business community.