Officers use Malone as last stop in becoming DARE officers

• Olson

Germantown Officer Toni Olson with some smiling Malone Elementary School students Thursday.

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PRESCOTT – Malone Elementary School was filled with 15 police officers Thursday morning -- all for a good cause.

The officers were from all over the Midwest and beyond completing a final step in becoming D.A.R.E. officers. Their goal Thursday was to teach a lesson in the D.A.R.E. curriculum to Malone students in grades two through fifth with graduation set for Thursday night.

Malone became involved, explained Jeff Smith, Wisconsin D.A.R.E. coordinator, as an officer training session was being held at the Twin Cities airport. Smith had previously attended a D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony at Malone and “was so impressed with the involvement the staff and kids had for the D.A.R.E. program”, they asked to use Malone.

“Pierce has one of the strongest D.A.R.E. organizations in the state, if not the whole Midwest,” Smith continued.

Thursday was the second year Malone was involved.

“We believe in D.A.R.E.,” said Principal Scott Halverson. “We were asked to help out and we were happy we did. We want them to be successful.”

Added Smith: “Until you step in a classroom, all the training is moot.”

Officers from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Wyoming were seen through the halls giving lessons on nonverbal communication, peer pressure and other topics.

For more please read the Feb. 13 print version of the Herald.

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