School resource officer says he does more than just break up fights

Nearly 100 students at a South Carolina high school walked out of class briefly Friday to show support for a school resource officer.

The officer was fired after video showed him throwing an uncooperative student across the floor.

The footage sparked a national debate on the officer’s actions.

KRDO NewsChannel 13 took a closer look at the role a school resource officer plays daily in schools.

CSPD Officer Bill Walsh was assigned to Cheyenne Mountain High School 10 years ago. When he started, he knew he’d work with kids, but he didn’t know the scope of the job.

“It really is being an extension of the school as a teacher, by being in class you get to know them one on one,” he said.

The connection formed, he said, is vital. His office wall is decorated with newspaper clippings of student achievements. He thinks that sign of support goes a long way.

“We have the ability to slow things down. We’re dealing with known people, the students. We’re able to identify them,” he said.

He insists breaking up fights isn’t his only job, that it’s a minor role. But that role has been needed at other schools.

At Coronado High School, and officer had to restrain a student with force in November 2014. While the student claimed brutality, the officer was cleared of any wrongdoing.

While rare, the brawl at Sierra is an example of how events can escalate quickly.

Walsh says keeping the peace is more than just wearing a uniform and badge.

“If a cop comes in and says ‘I only want to act officially as a police officer,’ you’re missing a huge opportunity to have a much bigger opportunity to have a role in a child’s life and peoples’ lives,” he said.