New Police Presence in Jarrell ISD

by Rachel Strickland

Families are gearing up for a new school year and, for many parents, that means a shift in the daily concern for their children’s safety and wellbeing. However, parents of students enrolled in Jarrell ISD may rest a little easier this year knowing each school in the district will have a police officer stationed on campus.

Sharif Mezayek was appointed chief of the new Jarrell ISD police department, having previously served in the same role in Liberty Hill ISD. “We’re thrilled Chief Mezayek is leading our police department,” Superintendent Dr. Toni Hicks says. “He’s an exceptional law enforcement officer with 29 years of experience. His leadership skills and passion are what we need to launch the district’s police department.”

Chief Mezayek is in the process of hiring at least five officers who will be stationed at Jarrell High School, middle, and elementary schools, but the number of officers stationed on each campus is likely to increase over time as the police department grows.

INCREASED SAFETY

The school police initiative was driven by an upcoming legislative bill and push by school administrators for increased safety and security. “Our legislators just passed House Bill 3, which requires some kind of armed security at every school,” Chief Mezayek says. “We just got a little bit of a head start to that.”

Superintendent Hicks adds, “Forming a Jarrell ISD police department is delivering on our commitment to our families and staff. Safety and security are a top priority. We’ve already implemented additional security measures for the new school year and starting an ISD police department will further enhance our security.”

Chief Mezayek says while officers will be in school zones and at bus stops ensuring traffic safety, their main priority will be to get to know the kids and ensure their safety. “They will be checking campuses and making sure everyone is safe and seen,” he says. According to Chief Mezayek, ISD police officers will have jurisdiction over the kids even when they are outside Jarrell city limits on school trips. “We get to know the kids and the kids get to know us. We build a bond with them to the point they feel comfortable coming to us when they have issues. We also build relationships with the community, parents, and teachers, so they feel comfortable, too. It’s really a good program.”

The chief will have an officer permanently assigned to each campus, allowing each the chance to get to know the teachers and kids on a more personal level. Chief Mezayek says the ISD police officers ultimately answer to the superintendent and will not be called away to patrol the streets or help with special assignments like a regular Jarrell police officer would.

He adds that the ISD police department is still being assembled. “I’m the only one here right now,” he says. “Once we get up and running, we will start hiring, then the officers will go into the schools.” In the meantime, he wants parents to know the officers will be there as a resource. “Our doors are always open to the parents and kids. I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I am really enjoying getting to know our community.”