Luther Police Officer Chris Tate plans to attend as many football and basketball games as possible and wouldn’t miss graduation next year. Luther’s first School Resource Officer, however, will be attending as a fan. Tate has been promoted to a new position with the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office and is leaving the Luther Police Department and his position as SRO.
Tate was hired as the school’s first SRO back in October for the 2018-2019 school year. A Luther alum himself, he said the decision to leave Luther was difficult, however, he was offered an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. He will be an SRO for the Piedmont School District through the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office.
“It was very amazing how quickly I bonded with the kids and how everybody accepted me and took me in,” said Officer Tate. He brought security and in some ways, he also bridged a gap between the public and the police department. Tate said some students told him they had never met a police officer before, and didn’t realize they could talk and laugh with him.
While he developed those relationships, however, Tate said security concerns and scanning for potential threat were always on his mind. He will be missed around town as well as he made rounds to businesses and demonstrated community policing through relationship building.
“I would like to thank the school board, parents and town for entrusting me with the kids,” said Officer Tate.
The SRO position for Luther Public Schools is funded between the Town of Luther and the district. The search is on for a new SRO with town and school officials hopeful a new one will be in place by the time classes resume in August.
Chirs is a great man! The kids loved his banter, laughter and the feeling of security he instilled. The town of Luther will miss him, we will miss him. I wish you the best Chris with continued succes in your professional carrier and life.