Staff Reports
A Columbus Police Department school resource officer was recently recognized for her work in local schools.
Sgt. Julie Quesenbery, a 15-year law enforcement veteran, received the 2020 National Association of School Resource Officers Regional Service Award for Region 5 earlier this month. Region 5 encompasses school resource officers from Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas.
Quesenbery began working as a school resource officer in 2014, and is currently assigned to Columbus East High School and Fodrea Elementary.
Quesenbery co-authored the Situational Awareness for Everyday (SAFE) Program which instructs high school seniors about safety in and away from school. The SAFE Program has been taught by school resource officers locally for the past five years.
Quesenbery will present the program at a school resource officer conference in Indiana later this month and plans to make to make the program available to officers in other states.
“I would like to congratulate Sgt. Quesenbery on this award,” said Columbus Chief of Police Mike Richardson said. “Her hard work and dedication towards keeping our students safe each day is just one example of why our school resource program has been so successful.”
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. Superintendent Jim Roberts said that the corporation is proud of Quesenbery for winning the award.
“(Quesenbery), along with Officer (Eric) Stevens, have been leaders in the evolution of what our SRO program has become today,” Roberts said. “She understands cultivating relationships with our students, which addresses their social and emotional needs, while also assisting with all safety-related efforts across the district.”
