By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Safety is paramount in Union City Schools.
And the more than 1,800 students and staff on three separate campuses remain in good hands and under watchful eyes.
School Resource Officers Raphe Whaley (UCHS), Stephanie Marshall (UCES), and Kevin Bowden (UCMS) recently completed annual training for their critical roles in the Union City School System.
They’ll continue to monitor hallways, classrooms and provide a presence at extracurricular activities to aid administration, teachers, and coaches while fostering relationships with students and parents.
The trio of Whaley, Marshall, and Bowden collectively have more than 40 years of experience in a job that was once considered a luxury but is now an essential position in the school business. All are employed jointly by the UC Police Department and Union City Schools.
In short, their roles are to serve as an anti-combative liaison between school personnel and students but be prepared with assertive tactics when needed while helping to maintain or restore order in various situations.
Whaley is the veteran overseer of the group with 32 years of experience overall and 22 as an SRO – all at Union City Schools. He was the first DARE (Drug, Abuse, Resistance, Education) officer to teach in local schools and was a natural fit for the first SRO position in the UCSS.
He insists that communication and both giving and commanding respect are critical in his role.
“Being able to relate to students, teachers – and in some cases, students’ parents – is the most important thing,” Whaley said. “How you treat people is important in all walks of life, but especially in this job. Dealing with young people and de-escalating situations isn’t the same in every situation.
“There is a lot of anti-police narrative out there, but, here at Union City Schools, everyone is positive about law enforcement. That certainly helps us as SROs.
“And the biggest thing that helps us as SROs is that the discipline level in all of our buildings is so good and has improved tremendously over the years. With the changes in kids and culturally, that’s been something that has been a huge plus in the number of instances we deal with.”
UCHS Principal Jacob Cross lauded Whaley for his respected presence and longevity.
“Officer Whaley is certainly an asset to Union City High School,” Cross said. “With over twenty years of experience as a School Resource Officer, he can anticipate problems before they arise and is very proactive in his approach.
“He has a great rapport with our students and staff, and they all know he will do whatever it takes to defend them if necessary.”
This year’s summer training – held in Jackson after several years in Gatlinburg – was a 16-hour course that is mandatory to maintain accreditation as an SRO. Updated policies and juvenile law are the basics of the sessions, and case and social workers are brought in to provide insight.
Initially, officers must have two years of experience as policemen and complete a 40-hour training to become certified.
Marshall, a familiar face at UCES after 17 years in her capacity, is both a trusted and valuable asset to the system.
“Officer Marshall goes above and beyond for all of us at UCES,” Principal David Byars said. “She is a tremendous resource for our school and our community, and the relationships she has forged with students and parents over the years make her a model SRO.
“She goes the extra mile to keep our campus safe.”
Bowden, a veteran officer who has also spent time at the Obion County Sherriff’s Department, is beginning his second year as School Resource Officer at UCMS.
Photo: UCHS School Resource Officer Raphe Waley with high school students. (Mike Hutchens photo).