Officer
Bitner in School
Pekin,
IL junior highs are trying something new. They both have Officer Bitner
working in them. This is a new idea initiated in Pekin’s Jr. Highs, Edison
and Broadmoor. We earlier interviewed Officer Bitner about his job
as a school resource officer.
Officer Bitner became a police officer because he liked the variety of
jobs within the police force. After joining the police force he decided
to work as a Juvenile Probation officer. When he heard that Edison and
Broadmoor were wanting a police officer he really wanted to do it because
he loves working with kids. When we asked him if he if his job is boring
he said, “No way, there so much to do. The program is new so there is a
lot that needs to be done.” He believes that police officer in school is
a good idea, but he also said that not every school needs one. Officer
Bitner believes problems can be solved sometimes depending on the seriousness
of the problem.
When we asked Officer Bitner what his favorite donut was he said it was
double chocolate. However Officer Bitner works out and is pretty physically
fit. If you’re wondering if he has ever used his gun, he has, but has never
shot anyone. He has arrested around thirty students at Broadmoor and Edison.
He has done many locker searches. One night he was chasing a person, and
he pulled a gun on Officer Bitner. Officer Bitner kicked it out of his
hand. Luckily the man pulled a paintball gun out on him, not a real one.
Officer Bitner has been married for two and a half years.
He says he likes being married and loves his wife. Officer Bitner has friends
on the police force, not just in Pekin but all around Illinois.
Officer Bitner’s personal opinion is that a school resource officer is
good idea. He can get to know students as a friend and can give them advice.
He also said that the principal and Officer Bitner have a critical plan
if something bad happened, like a school shooting. Having a police officer
in a school has a big effect on the school, but Officer Bitner has done
other things in Pekin. He developed the Cops for Kids program. Officer
Bitner is a great man for the job as a school resource officer.
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