ALFRED — School resource officers can make a difference in a child’s life and in the safety of a school.

Those were some of the key points made Friday by National Association of School Resource Officers instructor Ted Dau, who came to Maine from Minnesota to teach a week-long basic training course at the York County Sheriff’s office.

There were 13 students in the class, hailing from Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and California. Though many of the students had years of experience as police officers, all had two years or less as school resource officers, said Dau.

Some students may have trouble dealing with situations, such as a death in a family or a relationship that’s ended, and may be in danger of hurting themselves or someone else. These students might not have someone to talk to.

“You might be that person for that kid,” Dau said to the roomful of police officers Friday.

Dau urged his students to not only build relationships with students, but to take notes in a journal or by a digital recorder about what they see in the halls of the schools they’re working in.

At a brief interview during a break in class, Dau, himself a retired school resource officer, said if a school resource officer spends time on educating and counseling, they’ll spend less time policing.

“This has been a great class. Ted is very passionate,” said Merry Hudson, a school resource officer from San Clemente, California. Hudson is a former deputy sheriff, and took on the new position last year because “I thought it would be a challenge.” She said Dau was affirming what she wanted to do in her new role.

Hudson said working as a school resource officer and building relationships with students has been rewarding.

Chris Aker, a police officer from Easton, Massachusetts is planning on switching positions in the future to become a school resource officer. Aker said school resource officers are an “invaluable resource” and every school department should have at least one in place.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].