There is a new face on the team of School Resource Officers (SROs) serving Olmsted Falls City Schools! The district is pleased to welcome SRO Ryan Hare from the Olmsted Township Police Department (OTPD) to serve as the full-time SRO based at Olmsted Falls High School. SRO Hare officially began his tenure with Olmsted Falls City Schools back in November, replacing long-time OFHS SRO Joe English, who was promoted to OTPD Sergeant. The district extends sincere appreciation to Sergeant English, who had served in the SRO position at the high school since 2017, for his dedication and lasting contributions to school safety in our community.
New SRO Ryan Hare is a familiar face, a welcome addition and an integral member of our Bulldog team. Officer Hare has served with the Olmsted Township Police Department since 2020. Prior to his appointment as full-time SRO for OFHS, he had regularly filled in as a substitute SRO providing coverage as needed for the position. Officer Hare is a certified Drone Operator and E-Bike Operator for OTPD. He was recognized by local media this past fall for his role in using his expert drone skills to help locate a missing Olmsted Township resident. Serving as a School Resource Officer has been a career aspiration of Officer Hare.
“I am excited to step into the role of full-time School Resource Officer at Olmsted Falls High School,” said new OFHS SRO Ryan Hare. “It had been a specific career aspiration of mine to serve a community in the specialized capacity of SRO, and I have been enjoying this new role.”
“We are fortunate to have SRO Hare serving this important role in our district,” said OFCS Superintendent Dr. Jim Lloyd. “His experience, accomplishments and familiarity with our district made him an excellent fit and we appreciate the valuable contributions he has already made and will continue to bring to our school district.”
Olmsted Falls City School District is fortunate to have three full-time School Resource Officers. SRO Ryan Hare joins fellow OTPD Officer Gary Dieckman, who serves in the SRO position at Olmsted Falls Middle School/Olmsted Falls Intermediate School campus; and Olmsted Falls Police Department Officer Bob Swope, who serves in the SRO position at Falls-Lenox Primary School. Together this team of three SROs provides significant enhancements in school security, resources and more comprehensive coverage to our buildings districtwide.
If you see SRO Hare around the district, please join us in extending to him a warm Bulldog welcome!
MORE ABOUT SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS
The purpose of a School Resource Officer goes far beyond the concept of having an armed officer present in school buildings. A School Resource Officer is a career law enforcement officer assigned to work collaboratively within a school setting, serving as both protectors and community builders. SROs greatly enhance a school district’s multi-layered approach to school safety.
School Resources Officers enhance available resources and programs for students. Topics including personal safety, internet/social media safety, and substance abuse awareness/dangers are just a few examples of the kinds of programs trained and certified School Resource Officers are able to provide.
In Olmsted Falls City Schools, these important SRO positions are made possible through collaboration, partnership and shared fiscal responsibility between our Board of Education, locally elected officials from both the City of Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township, and their respective local police departments. Moreover, the district’s line item from the Governor's budget that supports Student Health and Wellness helps provide the school district’s portion of the funding for these SRO positions.