PARIS – Cpl. Dane Tripp of the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office will become the school resource officer in SAD 55 starting next month, Chief Deputy James Davis said Wednesday.
“We’re hoping (Tripp) can start right around Jan. 2,” Davis said.
Replacing Tripp at the sheriff’s office is patrolman Tom Harriman of the Bridgton Police Department, who should start as a new patrol deputy next week.
Harriman is a 17-year veteran of law enforcement, mostly in Bridgton, although he spent about 18 months working for the State Fire Marshal’s Office as an investigator.
Harriman said Wednesday he is looking forward to the new position because the schedule will allow him to spend more time with his family.
Tripp, who lives in Poland and has been with the sheriff’s office since 1994, will be assigned to Sacopee Valley High School in Hiram. The sheriff’s office is receiving a portion of a $2.85 million federal grant awarded to SAD 55 by the U.S. Justice Department to place Tripp in the school.
The money will cover Tripp’s salary and benefits, as well as equipment and the cost of a new police cruiser. The money covers the position for a period of three years.
The salary plus benefits in the first year will range from $46,520 to $52,903.
As the school resource officer, Tripp will ensure safety for all students, act as a peer mentor, attend after-school activities and possibly do some classroom instruction in the future.
Many other school districts in Maine, including SAD 17 in Oxford Hills, already have school resource officers.
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