A Listening Ear Guides School Resource Officer Each Day
CLAYTON – When parents send their children to school each morning, they want to know they will be safe, supported, and surrounded by adults who care. At Clayton Middle School, School Resource Officer Tomeka Moore helps provide that comfort every day. As an officer with the Clayton Police Department, Moore is a steady and trusted presence for students, staff, and families.
Moore has worked in law enforcement for 18 years – serving in patrol, code enforcement, and evidence – and came to Clayton after serving with the Selma Police Department. She chose to continue working in schools because she believes students deserve support during a formative time in their lives. “I love being a voice for children,” said Moore. ““They respect me for that.”
She spends much of her day in the hallways, greeting students and building trust through everyday conversations. Moore shares that some students may be hesitant at first, especially if they have had negative experiences with law enforcement. “It is hard building relationships with students,” she said, “because some of them may have already had encounters with law enforcement that may not have been positive.”
Rather than staying distant, Moore focuses on being approachable and present. She takes time to connect with students in ways they do not always expect from an officer, whether that means joining them in the gym, greeting them between classes, or simply being someone they can talk to. Those small moments are often what stays with her most. “I do get a lot of hugs and a lot of high fives,” said Moore.
Teachers and school administrators also work closely with Moore throughout the day. By staying connected with staff, she helps relay information that may affect the school community, especially when students open up to her first. “Sometimes you will get kids to tell you things of importance that they may not share with others,” she said.
Moore has also built strong relationships with parents, whether she is meeting families during school events or seeing them around Town. She says students often recognize her in the community and proudly introduce her. “They let their parents know, ‘This is Officer Moore. She works at my school’,” she said.
Along with her daily work, Moore trains year-round to help the school remain prepared for emergencies. That preparation is one more way she helps create peace of mind for students, staff, and families.
Moore believes school resource officers can help students see law enforcement in a more positive light by showing consistency, care, and support. “I want to be able to give the kids a different perspective on law enforcement,” she said.
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LOVE THIS!!
God bless our LEOs. Lord Jesus, protect them and give them wisdom they need to deal with the things we don’t want to deal with. Amen.
It is such a shame the schoold administrators feel the need to post SROs in our educational facilities. Our schools existed for years and years without the continuous presence of an officer on campus. Why the change? Are parents not doing their job? It used to be that a principal and asst. principal were more than sufficient to address the safety needs of the all of the school community. I am sorry, but the SROs do not build community. Their presence is counterintuitive to the educational process. We should do better.
As a more recent, former teacher, I can tell you why we have SROs in our educational facilities.
#1. School shootings happen and unarmed school employees cannot successfully defend the students and/or themselves from armed intruders.
#2. To answer your question, no, many parents are not doing their job. Many times teachers call them and they don’t believe their little angel does anything wrong. It seems parents are too “busy” and/or disconnected to parent their children these days. They don’t really KNOW what their kids are up to.
#3. Unarmed, untrained school employees are not nightclub bouncers, but are expected to break up fights. Many times between multiple people. I have seen teachers get hurt from it.
#4. Drugs and weapons are in the schools…sadly, ALL grade levels…even elementary schools.
#5. People trespass on the campus and SROs can quickly verify who belongs and doesn’t belong on campus.
#6. Students assault teachers these days. I know of at least three or more incidents.
#7. Traffic management…parents like to drive in grassy areas, on curbs, and walkways; completely disregarding traffic law.
#8. Gangs.
Hopefully, this is enough…just sharing some information from someone who was on the inside.
Thank you SROs…you are appreciated!
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. So if I understand correctly, parents are not doing their job in raising children, and the new expectation is that a uniformd officer is going to resolve the problems caused by years of societal neglect. Unfortunately that does not sound like a solution, but a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. It seems that the problems is far larger and that we all have to do a lot of soul searching and pocketbook opening to solve the problem.
Dear Cornbread,
Many parents are not doing a great job…my prayer is that will change in the coming generation.
Although this brave officer cannot change society, she most certainly can deter crime and protect the innocent. Removing her would greatly endanger the employees and students.
Money is not going to fix society. It never has and never will. Evil existed long before the American Dollar existed and it isn’t going anywhere. Adam & Eve couldn’t obey one rule and the rest of society cannot obey ten, so why would we think Godless people can obey anything. Instead of doing the will of God, they are doing the will of themselves (Satan).
Have a good day Cornbread.
I worked with Tomeka while she was in college for Blet. Great cop. Great person.