Lawrence Township Adding Second Full-Time Officer To School Campus

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ — Lawrence Township Public Schools and the Lawrence Township Police Department are expanding their community policing partnership, adding a second full-time officer to the district's secondary campus starting Sept. 1, the first day of school.

The addition means one full-time LTPD officer will be assigned to Lawrence Middle School and one to Lawrence High School. The move comes as the district plans for the future of its transformed 7-12 campus, part of the voter-approved $98 million bond referendum.

"This is such an exciting partnership because it truly is a win-win for everyone," said Dr. Robyn A. Klim, superintendent of Lawrence Township Public Schools. "Our students will have the opportunity to get to know the officers who serve their community, and those officers will get to know our students; not just as students in a school building, but as young people and members of our community."

District and police officials said the expansion is meant to build relationships between officers and students that extend beyond the school day, with officers becoming familiar presences at community events and throughout the township.

"Community policing is all about building relationships," said Police Chief Kevin Reading. "Having two full-time officers assigned to the 7-12 campus gives us an incredible opportunity to become even more connected with the students, staff and families of Lawrence Township."

The partnership supports the district's Community Engagement & Involvement priority, one of the goals outlined in its Strategic Plan, officials said. It comes as work continues on referendum-funded projects to transform the middle school and high school campus.

"This is community partnership in action," Klim said. "Our schools, our police department, our township, and our families all share the same goal: creating the very best environment possible for our young people to learn, grow, and thrive."

Reading said the department is looking forward to building on its relationship with the district.

"We are incredibly excited to continue building on the strong relationship between LTPD and LTPS and to be an even more visible, connected part of the school community," he said.

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