Flandreau Police officer Lisa Pelton has followed in her father’s footsteps by becoming a school resource officer.

Pelton, who started full time in the Flandreau School District seven weeks ago, is not a new face in town. She started working with the police department here in October 2013.

Her father, Andy Anderson, was a school resource officer with the Douglas School District near Rapid City, where she graduated from Steven’s High School. Her mother, Jamie Anderson, was a correctional officer in Pennington County.

“I saw the love and the impact he made in people's lives daily, and I wanted to make the same difference my father did. My father later passed away from cancer, and my boys and I miss him dearly,” she said.

In addition to getting to know students and being a resource to them, her job is to provide a secure environment for students and staff. The best defense is to educate those in school on what to look for and how to respond if the unthinkable happens, she said. Students, parents or other adults should contact law enforcement immediately if they see or hear anything that could be considered unusual or a threat, she said.

Flandreau has protocol in place on what to do in an active shooter situation.

“It’s a scary thought and it’s horrific, but it’s also a reality,” she said. “If somebody brings a gun to school and there’s an active shooter, the threat will be taken seriously, and I will use force if need be.”

Flandreau Superintendent Rick Weber said it is good to have Pelton’s presence at school, and students are aware that she is there.

“She makes herself very visible throughout the day,” he said. “She is another resource to use and to bounce ideas off of.”

After graduating from high school, Pelton studied and played basketball at Black Hills University and graduated from the law enforcement academy in Pierre in 2014. She is raising her three school-aged sons, Kaine, Hayden and Christian Pelton, in Flandreau.

Pelton, 43, has also worked for the Pennington County Sheriff’s Department as a corporal at the juvenile services center. During that time, she received the South Dakota Correctional Officer of the year award. She also worked as a deputy for the Custer County Sheriff’s Office and owned and operated a gift shop in Hill City.

Pelton earns $20.55 an hour with 75 percent of the money coming from the school and the remainder from the city. She remains a city employee and would be available for emergencies.

The school had a resource officer for several years up until a year and a half ago. The city paid for the position in the past.

Here’s a question and answer with Pelton:

Law enforcement background: “I grew up in a law enforcement family as my father was deputy sheriff and school resource officer for the Pennington County Sheriff's Office and my mother was a correctional officer for the Pennington County Sheriff's Office. My father was a huge inspiration and role model in my life, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps in the law enforcement career.

“I remember growing up, my father missing out on holidays, birthdays and many more special occasions to mention because of his occupation. Now, as a parent and as a police officer, my boys and I have had to make the same sacrifices.

“My oldest son plans to attend Western Dakota Vo-Tech next year and follow in my footsteps in the law enforcement field, and my youngest son has plans of law enforcement as well. This makes me so proud as a mother to know that my career has inspired my children in a positive light.”

Why did you choose to make the move to school resource officer?

“I look forward to the new challenges the school resource officer job has to offer me, and I will find new creative ways to keep myself challenged.

“As a parent, I feel I have a vested interest because I have children who attend school here as well. I have always loved working with children, and that is truly my passion because children are so influential and vulnerable.

“My goal is not only to maintain a safe environment for the students and faculty, but also to be a positive role model and mentor.”

What does the job include?

“It is my responsibility to serve as a liaison between the school and the police and provide information to the students and school personnel about law enforcement matters. A school resource officer is a sworn law enforcement officer who is responsible for providing security and crime prevention within the school.

“It will be my sole responsibility to teach, counsel and protect the school community and its members.”

What do you hope to accomplish in your interaction with students?

“My obligation is to try and infuse substance abuse prevention and violence prevention in the schools by providing education on these important matters that exist in our society.”

How do you work to earn kids’ trust and have them see you as a resource in their lives?

“Building trust, maintaining trust and being understanding is highly important and crucial when working with children. Building positive relationships with children is an essential task and important component of good teaching.

“All children grow and thrive in relationships that provide love, trust, understanding, nurturance, security and accountability. Investing time and positive attention to our children will help them grow individually, mentally, physically and spiritually.”