Herkimer Elementary School students recently attended an Officer Awareness Assembly with the Herkimer Police Department to increase familiarity for students in the event of an emergency.
Most students know Herkimer police by their black patrol uniforms but only would see SWAT teams in emergency situations, Herkimer Elementary School Principal Renee Vogt said.
“Today was meant to show students what SWAT team members look like and what weapons they often carry,” Vogt said. “The message was strong: Officers are here to protect and keep everyone safe. Whether you see them in the green SWAT uniform, blue bike uniform or everyday black uniform, they still only have one job: to protect us and keep us safe. Just like with firemen, you need to listen to the police officers’ directions and respect them.”
Vogt and Herkimer Police Chief Michael Jory organized the 40-minute assembly, which took place on Tuesday, June 4, at the Herkimer Elementary School. Students in prekindergarten through fifth grade attended the assembly. The other presenters included Sgt. James Burns, 1st Sgt. Torrey Sitterly and officers Tiffany Hill, Travis Young and Robert Holt.
Students and staff practice emergency drills throughout the school year such as for lockdowns, lockouts and hold-in-place drills.
“As we talked about what we could do to eliminate anxiety in the event there was a real crisis, we realized we could expose students to the different uniforms and roles officers have,” Vogt said.
During National Fire Prevention Month, Herkimer Elementary School brings in firefighters and has them get dressed in their gear so students can see what they look like and not be afraid in the event they need to enter a house to get people out safely.
“The thought was to mirror the same process for police officers,” Vogt said. “The district’s goal is to eliminate as much fear as we can around a crisis situation by practicing our drills and exposing them to the safety officers who will be there to help and keep them safe.”
Herkimer police put on an assembly for Herkimer Elementary School students on Tuesday, June 4. Fourth graders from the class of Brittany Caiola and Victoria Burns and prekindergarten students from the class of Kristin Stallman and Ninfa Chilelli pose with their teachers, Herkimer Superintendent Kathleen Carney, Herkimer Elementary School Principal Renee Vogt, Assistant Principal Cristi Paragi, Police Chief Michael Jory, 1st Sgt. Torrey Sitterly, Sgt. James Burns and officers Tiffany Hill, Travis Young and Robert Holt.
Herkimer police 1st Sgt. Torrey Sitterly speaks to Herkimer Elementary School students during an assembly on Tuesday, June 4.
Herkimer Elementary School Principal Renee Vogt, joined by Herkimer police, tries on police gear during an assembly on Tuesday, June 4.
Herkimer Elementary School Principal Renee Vogt, joined by Herkimer police, speaks to students during an assembly on Tuesday, June 4.