All across America incidents involving violence in schools have increased dramatically.  As a result of this increase the Belchertown Police Department and the School Administration decided to take a proactive approach and address this matter before it became a problem in Belchertown.  With the aid of a grant, money was secured to assign a Police Officer to the schools full time.  Officer Kevin Pacunas, who is the DARE Officer requested the position and was assigned as the School Resource Officer.  Kevin has done a great job as the DARE and is a natural choice for the position.

Kevin will continue to teach DARE in the schools, however he will also be responsible for investigating criminal activity committed on school property.  Kevin also acts as the liaison between the School and the Police Department, facilitating a two way flow of information between the two departments.

Due to Kevin's recent promotion to Sergeant, Officer Jim Daniels was appointed as the new School Resource Officer.  Sgt. Pacunas will oversee the School Resource Officer's position and he will continue to act as the liaison between the Schools and the Police Department.  In addition to his roll as a Police Officer, Officer Daniels will assume an active roll within the schools, teaching classes on Constitutional Rights, Drugs Awareness and many other law related subjects. 

Jim has a varied schedule that divides his time between the High School, Chestnut Hill Community School, Swift River and Cold Springs Schools.

More information on this position will be posted as the position is developed.