New resource officer joins St. C. schools
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ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- Students at St. Clairsville Richland City School District will see a new face patrolling the halls as Michael Duplaga steps into the role of resource officer for the district.
Duplaga will be taking on the duties left behind after Jeff Gazdik retired. Gazdik had safeguarded the students for 16 years.
St. Clairsville Police Chief Jeff Henry said Duplaga has worked for the department since March.
"The school pays 75 percent of his wages and benefits," Henry said.
Prior to joining the St. Clairsville force, Duplaga said he worked for the Bridgeport Police Department for about 5 1/2 years.
"I started part-time and learned that officer Gazdik was retiring, and shared my interest for the job, and got the job," he said.
Duplaga said he is eager to get started.
"I like law enforcement, and I like kids, and working with the kids," he said. "It's a good option."
Duplaga said his first concern is the safety of the kids and anyone else who is on campus. After that, he said he wants to work with the kids. He also will participate in classes and projects focusing on promoting safe behavior.
"Right before prom, the drinking and driving classes," he said. "For the younger kids, wearing your seat belts. With the new drivers, maybe some stuff on texting and driving. The dangers of texting and driving. Bullying's a big one."
He will also be on hand at events such as football games and basketball games.
"I'm very attentive," said Duplaga. "I pay attention to my surroundings. I'm going to make an effort to be at all sporting events ... Just to show my face and let the community know I'm in this 100 percent."
Duplaga said there is an advantage to having a police presence in school. It is helpful in an emergency situation and is a way for students to familiarize themselves with their community's law enforcement.
"Being in uniform there, it's a big deterrence for anybody," he said. "Officer presence can stop a situation from starting before there's a problem. Just you being there can stop a problem without you having to say anything."
Duplaga, who will begin working at the school in August, is a graduate of West Liberty University.
"I grew up in a family with five kids," he said. "I currently have half-siblings in high school, so I know some of their slang and what they like to do in their activities, so I feel I'm on top of some of their trends they're currently going through. I graduated high school in 2008. It's been about 10 years and a lot's changed since then, but having the younger siblings helps."
Superintendent Walt Skaggs said the district welcomes new officer.
"We think Mike Duplaga's going to be an excellent addition to our school, and we're extremely thankful to Chief Henry, Mayor (Terry) Pugh and the (city) council for helping us through this process and ensuring that the staff and students are provided with the additional safety a school resource officer provides," Skaggs said. "Officer Gazdik was with us for 16 years and he has done some great things for our school district. He has some very big shoes to fill, but we have the utmost confidence in Mike Duplaga that he'll be able to step in and carry on with what Officer Gazdik has started within our district."