These Gig Harbor-area schools will have armed security this year. Here’s what to know
The Peninsula School District is increasing its security presence for the first time since the pandemic.
The district announced they’ve hired two safety and security officers. One will be at Gig Harbor High School, the other at Peninsula High School.
They both “come to PSD with former law enforcement experience and student safety experience,” according to the district’s July 27 press release.
Brent Campbell will work at PHS and Michael Janke will be at GHHS. Both will be armed.
Janke, who goes by the nickname “Moose,” said at the July 27 school board meeting that he brings a lot of experience to this new position.
He has a background in police, fire and EMS.
Immediately prior to taking the job with PSD, Janke was the campus safety officer for Tacoma Community College, he said at the meeting.
Prior to that he worked as a firefighter and EMT in Vail, Colorado, and was a field training officer for the Travis County Sheriff’s Office in Austin, Texas for four years, he said.
He is also a CPR and women’s defense instructor.
“I really am looking forward to building a program from the ground up, and bringing safety, security, and a sense of well-being to everyone that’s involved in the district,” Janke told the board.
Campbell used to be an officer with the Redmond Police Department.
Immediately prior to taking the job with PSD, Campbell was a security specialist with the Monroe School District.
“I have spent a lot of time dealing with the same problems and the same issues that the school district here has. So, I’m very well versed in that,” he said when talking about his time at MSD.
He also runs a private investigation company with his son.
“Both security officers will work year-round and will assist with school safety during the school year, and will assist with emergency management policies, procedures, and training when school is not in session,” the press release said.
They start Aug. 14, Danielle Chastaine, communications coordinator for the district told the Gateway.
That start date “will give them a couple weeks to meet the team and get settled before the first day of school,” Chastaine said.
What will safety and security officers do?
“Both security officers will act as first responders in the case of a security incident and will work to foster a culture of respect and understanding on PSD campuses through meaningful student and parent relationships,” the press release said.
The salary for the new safety and security officers is approximately $107,000 each annually. The roles are being funded by the educational programs and operations levy, Chastaine said.
What has security presence been in the past?
Pre-pandemic, the school district had one school resource officer contracted through the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, Chastaine said.
The safety and security officers are not contracted through law enforcement, and instead are PSD employees, Chastaine said.
“When schools were closed due to COVID, we did not renew that contract,” Chastaine said. “Since then, both Pierce County Sheriff and Gig Harbor PD have not had the staff to provide our district with SROs. This is why district leadership chose to hire safety and security officers.”
This story was originally published August 7, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
