City of Norwich Police Officer Nicholas Mooney and Police Chief Reuben Roach agree that Mooney's new role as the Norwich City School District School Resource Officer (SRO), will benefit students and staff, by providing safety and supporting the school in its mission to create a positive learning environment. (Submitted Photo)

NORWICH — The Norwich City School District (NCSD) recently appointed Norwich Police Officer Nicholas Mooney, as the new School Resource Officer (SRO).

“The Norwich Police Department (NPD) and the NCSD collaborated to create this position approximately two years ago, and it has been a monumental success,” said Chief of Police Reuben Roach.

“SRO Clarke retired from NCSD this year, and has done a phenomenal job with this position, which led to an extension of the contract between the City of Norwich and NCSD,” he said.

“Officer Mooney volunteered to be interviewed by both NCSD staff, as well as the NPD staff,” said Roach.

He said Mooney’s objective is to build rapport with the students, provide safety for the NCSD staff and students, and to help the school in its mission to create a positive learning environment for all.

Roach said SRO’s wear many different hats, and he said it is wonderful that NCSD and NPD were able to collaborate and make this position happen.

He explained Officer Mooney attended many advanced trainings involving children and active listening and said he is a part of the New York State Juvenile School Resource Officer Association and receives annual training with them.

According to Roach, Officer Mooney attended NCSD and went on to graduate from Nazareth College with a bachelor’s degree in the arts.

“Additionally, Officer Mooney was the Aquatics Director for the YMCA prior to becoming a police officer,” said Roach.