Dalis Owens

AKRON — Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation Resource Officer, Dalis Owens, has one philosophy when it comes to interacting with the schools and the community.

“I’m a parent myself,” he said. “I operate the way I want the officers in my children’s schools to operate, with an open-door policy.”

He especially hopes to build good, working relationships with parents of the students he will be interacting with.

Owens has been with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department for 14 years. During that time, he served as the school resource officer for Wawasee School Corporation for eight years until the position switched to the Syracuse Police Department. When the previous resource officer at TVSC retired, Owens was offered the position.

As school resource officer, Owens will not only serve as a protective presence within the building, he will also fill an educational role, anything from driving curriculum to law-related classes.

“The main part is just to be seen by the students and parents and staff and to be there for any emergencies that may arise,” he said.

He will also be there to answer questions students and teachers may have.

Owens enjoys working with students as they progress through the grade levels. He also enjoys seeing former students and how they have succeeded in life.

“Just to see what they’ve done with their lives and to be a positive role model is the most rewarding part of the job,” he said.

Owens will be in and out throughout the summer and will start full-time a week before classes begin. He invites students, staff, administration and parents to stop by, say hi and introduce themselves.

“My office is definitely open to anyone, any time,” he said.