The National Association of School Resource Officers awarded Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jon Tindal the Regional Exceptional Service Award for his outstanding service to Hamilton Heights Middle School during the organization’s annual conference in Washington, D.C. on July 25. (Photo provided)
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jon Tindal was presented with the Regional Exceptional Service Award by the National Association of School Resource Officers during the organization’s annual conference in Washington, D.C. on July 25. The award is a competitive process which recognizes outstanding contributions to the school resource program and dedication to the school community.
Deputy Tindal, who serves as School Resource Officer for Hamilton Heights Middle School in Arcadia, was nominated for the Regional Exceptional Service Award by Indiana School Resource Officer Association 2nd Vice President, Sgt. D.J. Schoeff of the Carmel Police Department. In nominating Tindal for the award, Schoeff commented not only on Tindal’s daily work with the students, teachers and parents, but also on the creation of the “Dawg Pound” at the school.
During his duties as SRO at the school, Deputy Tindal observed many of the students had little personal interaction with each other. Even during lunch time in the cafeteria, Tindal noticed an unusually quiet atmosphere which he attributed to students focusing almost exclusively on social media devices and cell phones. Tindal decided to use his creativity and passion for promoting positive behaviors to encourage students to interact with each other and to include those often left on the fringes.
Coordinating with school administrators, Deputy Tindal obtained permission to transform an empty storage room into what is now called the Dawg Pound. Several local businesses provided donations of materials and finances as Tindal and a group of volunteers cleaned, painted and furnished the room. The room transformed from an unused space into a vibrant room, painted with school colors and the school mascot. At no cost to the school or taxpayers, the room now boasts a popcorn maker, two Xbox units, a large screen TV complete with a surround-sound system and numerous games.
The Dawg Pound is a “device-free” zone where students are not allowed to use cell phones, tablets, or other similar devices. Tindal encourages students to use the games and equipment as a means for direct interaction as they engage each other in friendly competition and social situations. Students of all ages and abilities come together without exclusion as they enjoy the company of new friends and acquaintances. Tindal notes he has observed students that typically struggle socially now blossoming and thriving with other students in the Dawg Pound.
Use of the Dawg Pound comes in various ways with students rewarded with lunch in the room in return for positive behaviors in the classroom. Teachers also use the Dawg Pound as a reward for students completing tasks and work. One teacher had several missing assignments by a student successfully completed after students learned time in the Dawg Pound was a potential reward.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office partners with the Hamilton Heights School Corporation to assign three full-time school resource officers. The deputies not only offer security and threat prevention but also seek to foster positive relationships with the school community as the deputies provide educational and outreach programs throughout the year.