INDIANAPOLIS — On September 17, the Warren Township School Board swore in the Warren Township School Police Department (WTSPD). Thanks to laws passed by the state legislature, school corporations can create their own school police departments, with all the law enforcement powers of a municipal police department. WTSPD Chief Steve Kimbrough, Assistant Chief Scott T. McKinney), and four other full time officers (Adrian Pettis, John Dicicco, Josua Shiflet, and Joseph Rector) were sworn in at the meeting in front of a large crowd of well-wishers. The force also has nine other part time officers from other law enforcement agencies. The part time officers assist with traffic and district issues. They also assist with athletic and social events.
In the past, the department consisted of full time MSD Warren Township employees with Marion County Sheriff Office Special Deputy powers. They now are a full-functioning department, and continue a relationship with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
Officers are given the opportunity to maintain safety and security, while building healthy relationships with the students and staff of MSD Warren Township Schools. On a daily basis they have officers in Warren Central High School, district officers to assist with accidents and incidents within the school community of MSD Warren Township. They also also have officers that focus on Stoneybrook Middle/Intermediate Schools, Creston Intermediate/ middle schools, and Raymond Park Intermediate/middle schools.Elementary schools are also visited on a daily basis (Brookside Eastridge,Grassy Creek,Hawthorne, Lakeside, Liberty Park ,Lowell,Moorehead,Pleasant Run, Sunny Heights). They also visit the Warren Early Childhood Center and Renaissance Center.
Chief Kimbrough and Assistant Chief McKinney have already been certified through the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), and Officer Shiflet has also been certified. The other officers will attend ILEA to get their certification. Some of the officers are certified as School Resource Officers through NASRO (National Association of School resource Officers), trained to educate students on law enforcement issues, informally counsel students about social issues in their lives, and act as a law enforcement authority while building healthy relationship with the students, staff, and community.
