With the departure of former resource officer Bob Evans, Officer Zeus Hernandez has taken his place to help provide a safe learning environment for students.
“I wanted to do something different from road work, and I thought this was a good opportunity to do that,” Hernandez said.
In a day of work, Hernandez helps guide cars in the parking lot before and after school, and throughout the day he checks the parking lot to make sure cars aren’t being broken into.
Hernandez patrolled for 6 and a half years before replacing Evans, who worked at Central the previous five years. When Evans left their police department his position at Central had to be filled, and Hernandez applied for the job.
The application process included interviewing at Central and with his department, and also writing about why he was interested in the job.
When his current position became available, Officer Hernandez saw a chance to help students. Going into the job, Hernandez wanted to gain new perspectives on students and see the differences between schools now compared to when he was a student.
“I think these are very important years for students,” Hernandez said. “They can really turn their life around. If they’re going in a bad direction they can make it good, and if they’re already going in a good direction they can make it better.”
Hernandez also hoped to build relationships with students.
“I try to counsel kids and give them direction,” Hernandez said.
Assistant Principal Mr. Chris Dallas agrees that Hernandez has the chance to build relationships with students so that they can feel comfortable coming to him with issues regarding law enforcement.
“From time to time there are things that come up that involve breaking of the law, and to have a familiar face makes it easier to handle and process these things when they come up,” Dallas said.
According to Dallas, Hernandez helps support teachers and administrators as well as students in solving problems around school.
Freshman Jessie Goldberg finds comfort in having a police officer on campus.
“I feel a lot safer at school with a police officer here,” Goldberg said. “It’s nice to see Officer Hernandez at football games because I know if there’s ever a fight he’ll be the one to break it up and not many people will get injured.”
Hernandez said he is trying to get involved with the students and faculty, and has already been to the home football games.
Senior Jessica DeMunbrun has noticed his effort.
“Officer Evans was great, and we’ll miss him, but from what I’ve seen around school so far, the new resource officer [Hernandez] seems just as great,” Demunbrun said.
