County approves SRO in Medford Schools

The effort to put a school resource officer in Medford Schools is one step closer to reality.
Last week the Steele County Board unanimously voted to approve a SRO for the Steele County Sheriff’s Office. The position would be funded through a $125,000 Community Oriented Policing Services or COPS grant.
“This is great news for the safety of our children and staff in the schools,” said Sheriff Lon Thiele, noting this is the first time his office has received a COPS grant.
The last hurdle for the SRO position lies with the Medford School Board, which was scheduled to meet Monday night after this edition went to press. If the board approves the position, the sheriff’s office would have a SRO ready to go next fall for the start of the 2021-22 school year.
The COPS grant would cover 75% of a licensed deputy’s position for three years, up to $125,000, according to Thiele. The remaining 25% would be paid by the school district and county.
Thiele’s goal is to expand the SRO program into the NRHEG School District for the elementary school in Ellendale.
Both Medford and Ellendale contract with the sheriff’s office for police service.