Starting January 2004, the City of Los Alamitos and the Los Alamitos School District agreed to a partnership that placed a Los Alamitos Police Officer on the Los Alamitos High School campus.  A School Resource Officer, better known as an SRO, is a means to educate, counsel, enhance the security of the school environment and serve as a role model and mentor to the student population.  Chief McCrary identified an opportunity to re-assign an officer from the Patrol Bureau and assign them full-time to the school district, which is providing office space and support at school.  The SRO will follow school policies and work cooperatively with the Principal, however is under the direct command of the Los Alamitos Police Department.   The SRO receives basic and advanced training in order to comply with standards established by the National Association of School Resource Officers, NASRO, and the California Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training, POST.

Chosen for this assignment is Officer Melissa Porter.  Officer Porter has been a Los Alamitos Police Officer for three years.  During her time as a patrol officer, Officer Porter has had an interest in addressing substance abuse issues in the community and removing intoxicated and drugged drivers from the roadway, receiving an award from Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, MADD, for her efforts.  Officer Porter has been active in addressing youth issues as a patrol officer.  During the last two years, Officer Porter volunteered as an Advisor to the Los Alamitos Police Department Explorer Post, serving as a role model and mentor to youths interested in community service and learning about the law enforcement profession.  Prior to becoming a Police Officer, Melissa Porter’s background reflected her interest in the youth and in serving the community.  Melissa Porter worked as an instructional aide at an elementary school and as an Emergency Medical Technician, EMT, for an ambulance company.  Melissa Porter continued as an EMT in the emergency room of an Orange County hospital and later became a Licensed Vocational Nurse.  Melissa Porter left the medical field to pursue her goal of becoming a Police Officer.  Melissa Porter earned her Bachelors Degree from California State University, Fullerton and is currently pursuing post-graduate work.

Officer Porter is looking forward to building positive relationships between law enforcement personnel and the school community.  It is a great opportunity to become part of the team that makes Los Alamitos High such a highly regarded school in the community, state, and nation.

Officer Porter can be reached on the Los Alamitos High School campus at (562) 799-4780 x 245.