On June 28, the Indiana School Resource Officers Association (INSROA) presented Patrolman Matt Johnston with the 2017 Indiana School Resource Officer of the Year award. The award was presented at INSROA’s annual conference held in Bloomington, Ind.
The INSROA presents the award each year in order to recognize a SRO who has gone above and beyond the normal duties of a SRO to enhance their school and community through the SRO philosophy of counselor, teacher and law enforcement officer. Ptlm. Johnston was nominated by his direct supervisor, Sgt. Andrew Reiss, for his many years of devotion and commitment to the youths of Noblesville.
Ptlm. Johnston has been with the Noblesville Police Department since 2002. He was assigned to SRO duties in 2004. In addition to being a SRO, Ptlm. Johnston has developed and supervised the NPD Police Explorer program since 2006. As coordinator of the police explorer program, Ptlm. Johnston established a summer academy for local explorers in 2006. The week-long academy provides students both classroom and hands-on training in all aspects of law enforcement including criminal & traffic law, communications, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, and physical tactics to name a few. In 2015, Ptlm. Johnston successfully took this program statewide to include agencies and explorers from all over the state. The statewide academy is administered biennially and the most recent academy took place during the period of June 18-23 at Noblesville West Middle School under the supervision of Ptlm. Johnston. Additionally, Ptlm. Johnston is also a DARE instructor; in his off-duty time he enjoys volunteering for various youth sporting activities.
Police Chief Kevin Jowitt stated, “Matt embodies the commitment and dedication that our great community has come to expect of its law enforcement officers, both on and off-duty. Matt has truly embraced his role as a school resource officer and has undeniably made a positive impact on thousands of students throughout his career. On behalf of NPD, I would like to commend Matt on this award and for all of his accomplishments.”
The Noblesville Police Department is proud to partner with Noblesville Schools through the SRO program. There are currently four officers assigned to SRO duties throughout Noblesville Schools. The SRO program looks to achieve a number of agreed upon goals and objectives to include fostering educational programs and activities to enhance the relationship between law enforcement and students, providing security and threat prevention, and investigating crimes that occur on campus to name a few.