Wooster SROs go beyond the badge to support students

One of the valuable services the Wooster City Police Department provides to the community is allocating school resource officer positions to April Teichmer and Alex Caskey.

Teichmer started the position in 2019 and works with high school students, eighth grade through senior. Caskey began his current position last October and is assigned to the middle school, working with fifth grade to seventh grade. He previously was the SRO at WCSCC.

SROs receive basic training for the position through the Ohio School Resource Officers Association.

“While the training class is useful, I have found I rely more on the training I have received regarding mental health and crisis intervention,” Teichmer said.

Both Caskey and Teichmer also are ALICE instructors, a protocol designed to increase survival rates during violent intruder situations.

Daily duties of the SROs include checking the security of the building, overseeing any visitors who come into the school and checking video footage to ensure things are normal throughout the day.

“Most of my roles are intangible,” Teichmer said. “Daily, I speak with hundreds of kids as they move throughout the building. We have around 1,300 kids at the high school, and I try to acknowledge them in some way every day. It could be a 'good morning' or just a smile during lunch period. In between classes I try to get out in the hallways and play trivia with the kids.”

Teichmer also speaks in classes such as health class, talking about drugs and alcohol and the effects they have on the body; English class, talking about jury selection when they read the play, “Twelve Angry Men;" and financial literacy class when they cover a topic about scams.

There also are numerous projects at Wooster High School Teichmer has either created or enhanced during her SRO tenure. This includes the school pantry, a designated area for donated food for students to snack on during the day or take home.

“I have worked over the years to grow this pantry,” she said, “and I have held several food drives.”

Every morning Teichmer sets out a donated cooler where students can place any unwanted lunch items, and other students can take what they would like. Anything left over goes into the school pantry, the Generals Closet, an area with new and gently used clothing for kids who may need them, which could be someone who spilled milk at lunch and needs a fresh shirt or someone who needs a full week's wardrobe. This area also includes hygiene items.

Teichmer also is involved with a seat-belt safety event. This is generally timed twice per year to coincide with homecoming and prom. Additionally, she often works with the district caseworker on projects like “break boxes” to supply families in need with food and toiletries to sustain them during fall, winter, spring and summer break.

“Last year,” she said, “we held our first Youth Academy at the police department with 12 kids. We had a great turnout and positive responses to the topics. We will be continuing this event in 2026.”

Caskey’s day usually starts with crossing guard duty. During the day he finds ways to interact directly with the students.

“I’ll sometimes stop by gym class and jump into whatever game they’re playing,” he said. “During lunch I often like to sit with different groups of students to enjoy a school lunch and conversations with them.”

As he was growing up in Orrville, Caskey’s father was his school resource officer.

“I remember hearing countless students and community members talk about the impactful relationships he built,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to do the same for my community.”

Teichmer said because she builds relationships with the students, she is often able to follow up on cases for other officers.

“Many times I’m able to intervene and prevent issues before they happen since the kids feel comfortable to confide in me,” she said.

“Building these connections helps students see us as more than just someone in a uniform,” Caskey said. “Taking the time to get to know them and earn their trust, students feel safe and comfortable coming to us if they need someone to talk to, get advice or just have a conversation.”

Teichmer was recently nominated for Law Enforcement Officer of the Year as part of the Wayne County Child Abuse Prevention Month Luncheon and Awards. At the event Wayne County Children Services honors outstanding individuals who have served local children. There are six total nominees from the county.

Anna Fink, public relations coordinator for Wayne County Children Services, said Teichmer was nominated by a caseworker brought in to assist with a child.

“(Teichmer) was noted for having a high degree of professionalism and compassion working with youth,” Fink said. “From her nomination form, ‘Officer Teichmer continued to check in on the child long after her formal obligations were met, demonstrating an extraordinary level of care and compassion. This case highlights her unwavering integrity, humanity and the true spirit of community policing.’”

The winner of the award will be announced at the Child Abuse Prevention Month Luncheon April 23 in Wooster. The public is invited. Details regarding tickets will be available at www.waynecsb.org.

“Just being nominated means what I'm doing is being seen/heard/recognized, and that means so much," Teichmer said.