BFPD welcomes new school resource officer

BONNERS FERRY — There is a new face walking the halls of local schools, Brandon Johnson of the Bonners Ferry Police Department takes on the role of school resource officer.

“We could not be more impressed with Officer Johnson’s ability to come into the SRO position, mid-year, and absolutely take ownership of it,” BFPD Assistant Chief Marty Ryan said. “His unique approach, and unwavering dedication is unmistakable and has brought him immediate success. The endless compliments and positive remarks we get from the schools have really been a testament to that.”

Johnson started in the position on Jan. 1, transitioning from working regular patrol with a lot of graveyard and swing shifts to working day-by-day with children in the Boundary County schools.

Johnson was born and raised in Bonners Ferry, living in the community his whole life. He graduated from the Coeur d’ Alene Police Academy on Dec. 17, 2018, and about three days later, began working at BFPD.

Why he chose Bonners Ferry to make his home is an easy question to answer, Johnson said. Not only did he grow up in the community, he knows the community.

“I was born and raised here,” he said.

After going through the police academy Johnson was not guaranteed a job where he wanted to live, Bonners Ferry, but was happy there was a position available in his hometown. He said being from Bonners Ferry gives him an edge at his job.

“I know the people,” he said. “I know the names, there are a lot of new people in town which we're having to learn. But there are a lot of the same old, old boys.”

Johnson I went to kindergarten at Valley View and, from there, he attended a private school. However, he opted to get his GED and went to work for KGT Septic, the family business.

“It was good,” he added. “I went through eight grades which was a 12th grade education so I was able to get my GED.“

However, after working for the family business, Johnson said he decided to apply to the police academy.

After three-and-half-years on patrol at BFPD, Johnson became the school resource officer.

“I'm a resource for the school. There is a difference between working patrol and working as the SRO for the schools,” he said. “When I'm working patrol, I deal with criminal issues. When I'm dealing with school stuff, it's not just criminal issues, like possibly drugs on school grounds and stuff like that; we deal with batteries, sexual assaults, different things. So we deal with the criminal side, but there's also the policy side from the school like nicotine, juvenile stuff, things like that.”

Johnson said his goal is to be a [law enforcement] presence in the schools.

“[I am] somebody for kids to talk to; I think it's the big one,” Johnson said. “We are cops at school,'' Johnson said.

The SRO’s presence and efforts on behalf of the district’s students is appreciated, Boundary County School District principals said.

Kylee Guthrie, principal of Mt. Hall Elementary School said Johnson is extremely helpful and responsive and has student safety at the forefront of his mind at all times.

Bonners Ferry High School principal Lisa Iverson agreed.

“Johnson has done a great job as our new SRO,” she said. “In conversations and interactions, it is obvious he cares a lot about our students. I don't think he was expecting to enjoy the SRO position as much as he has. We are really happy to have him at the high school, and all of his help in holding students accountable and keeping our community safe.

The goal of the school resource officer is to provide valuable resources to school staff members, fostering positive relationships with students' parents and staff and protecting all youth and staff, so that they can reach their full potential.