The Kansas Juvenile Officers Association and it's members are saddened by yesterday’s fatal school shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville where 3 children and 3 adults were killed.  Our hearts and condolences go out to the victims of this senseless act of violence, their families and friends.  We are thankful to the first responders who acted decisively to stop the attack and prevent further loss of life.

Jon Adkins
KSJOA President

Greetings!  It is hard to believe the first half of the 2022-2023 school year is coming to a close with the holiday season upon us.  We have heard from many of you about the challenges and successes you have faced this year.  Please let us know if any of us can help.  We have a vast network of peers and experience all over the state ready to assist.

Planning continues to put together a great training conference.  It will be held at the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview in Wichita on July 31-August 3, 2023.  More information will be sent out in the coming months.

Please take some time to relax and recharge with your family and friends over the next few weeks.  Stay safe and keep making positive relationships with students!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
-Jon, Anthony, Philip, Mark, Mary and Ken

With the recent closure of the investigation of the Olathe East High School officer-involved shooting that occurred last March, Anthony, Philip and Kate presented the association's Valor Award to Olathe PD Officer Erik Clark at a recent city council meeting. This recognition was for his courageous action to protect Olathe East students and staff in his role as an SRO. We have extended an invitation to Officer Clark to attend our next conference. Congratulations, Officer Clark! KCTV5 did a nice segment which is linked below.

Regards,
-Jon

https://www.kctv5.com/2022/09/21/state-organization-honors-olathe-east-sro-valor-during-school-shooting/

The Kansas Juvenile Officers Association and it’s members are sickened by the massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.  We are praying for the victims, families, the Uvalde community and first responders.

-Jon

Good morning.  I am happy to announce Special Agent Randy Combs as the newly appointed State D.A.R.E. Coordinator in the Kansas Attorney General's Office.  Randy is replacing Dave Burlew who retired after many years of faithful service.

Randy is no stranger to KSJOA or law enforcement.  During his career as a master deputy with the Kearny County Sheriff's Office, he served as a D.A.R.E. officer and SRO.  He was a NASRO SRO Practitioner, KSJOA D.A.R.E Officer of the Year (2010) and KSJOA Past President (2015).

Randy's contact information is at this link (State D.A.R.E. Coordinator) and under the Resources tab on the website.

I want to personally thank KS Attorney General Derek Schmidt and Special Agent Combs for their continued support of law enforcement and KSJOA.

Stay safe!
-Jon


Randy Combs
Special Agent / State D.A.R.E. Coordinator
Kansas Attorney General's Office

KSJOA has received some media inquiries regarding the March 4th shooting at Olathe East High School.  KSJOA has released the following statement:

"The Kansas Juvenile Officers Association is comprised of law enforcement officers, school administrators and others whose goal is keeping Kansas schools safe. School resource officers and D.A.R.E. officers must be carefully selected and well trained. They serve as a teacher, informal counselor and when necessary, law enforcement.

By all reports available so far, Olathe Police SRO Clark's heroic actions at Olathe East High School prevented further injury and loss of life. A report of a student with a gun requires school officials to notify law enforcement. Fortunately, Officer Clark was assigned to the school and able to assist the administration immediately. The use of a ghost gun in this incident and availability of these type of weapons is concerning.

KSJOA fully supports our membership making positive relationships with students every day and wish all those affected at Olathe East a speedy recovery."

President Jon Adkins
Kansas Juvenile Officers Association

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Greetings!  I want to be the first to welcome you to the new KSJOA website.  This website will allow us to have better communication with our membership, manage conference registration and promote the association.

Our 2022 KSJOA Annual Training Conference will be in Wichita at the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview on July 18-21.  Registration for the conference is open on our website.  You may pay with a card online or print an invoice to mail a check.  The conference agenda is being finalized and will be posted very soon.

Last Friday, many of us sent our thoughts and prayers to those involved in the shooting at Olathe East High School.  By all reports, Olathe Police SRO Erik Clark did his job well and undoubtedly prevented further injury and loss of life.  We wish Officer Clark, Asst. Principal Dr. Kaleb Stoppel and all those who were affected a speedy recovery.

Thanks for all you do to keep students safe every day!
-Jon