OGDENSBURG — It has been a full first year since we welcomed three new school resource officers into our school district for the purpose of providing the best safety and security to our students in all three schools. Over the course of the 2023-24 school year, students have begun to welcome and appreciate the work that the officers perform - creating friendships as a result.
“We are extremely fortunate to have been able to build a strong partnership between the City of Ogdensburg, the Ogdensburg Police Department, and our school district with the goal at keeping our students and staff safe as well as our community,” said Superintendent of Schools Kevin Kendall. “In a short time, they have already become active members of our community. They are in classrooms all the time with students, they converse with students in the hall, and they are essentially part of the school family.”
In this three-part story series, you will get to know each of the new School Resource Officers, their triumphs, and hardships throughout their first year in the district. In the second release out of three, meet OFA alumni Sgt. Ryan Polniak!
Sgt. Ryan Polniak
Although this is Sgt. Ryan Polniak’s first year working as a School Resource Officer (SRO) for the Ogdensburg City School District, he is no stranger to the school community. Sgt. Polniak conducts his responsibilities at Ogdensburg Free Academy (OFA), where he graduated in 2004. Ryan has served as a law enforcement officer since January 2011.
“Sgt. Polniak plays an essential role in maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment. His presence ensures the physical safety of students and staff, while his engagement in the school community fosters trust and open communication,” OFA 9-12 Principal Cindy Tuttle said. “Ryan not only helps prevent and respond to potential security issues but also serves as a mentor and educator. By building positive relationships with students, he provides guidance and support, promoting good citizenship and personal responsibility. Ryan’s involvement in educational programs on safety, substance abuse prevention, and conflict resolution further enhances the overall well-being of our school community.”
Sgt. Polniak’s responsibilities at OFA include ensuring safety and security, building relationships, and addressing juvenile investigations when they arise. Each day, Ryan prioritizes safety by conducting security sweeps, which involve checking doors, walkthroughs, and reviewing cctv footage when needed.
Ryan initially encountered challenges in terms of building relationships with students, as the older student population required additional time to understand the purpose, and adjust to the presence of an SRO at OFA.
“For me, being in the high/middle school, students definitely saw law enforcement as another authority figure. It took some time for them to realize that I am not providing discipline or enforcing the code of conduct. I am strictly here for their safety and security,” Sgt. Polniak said. “There was a learning curve during the first few months as I made sure students understand that I am not an authority figure in the school.”
Throughout the school year, students have adjusted to Sgt. Polniak’s presence, he said. “I’ve been getting to know the students. More of them say ‘Hi’ now than they did before,” Ryan said. “When I work overtime, I see some of them outside of school and they are more friendly and forthcoming. They are all good kids.”
Sgt. Polniak says that his favorite part of his work this school year as a School Resource Officer was going to the school football games and being a part of the OFA community. He enjoyed seeing the kids and how well they interact with each other. “I graduated from here 20 years ago and to see how kids are with each other now versus when I was in school is different. Behaviors like bullying aren’t as prevalent now as a result of the anti-bullying campaigns and the positivity project. It is nice to see that a lot of these students are kind hearted kids that would help anybody,” Sgt. Polniak said. “I get a lot of high fives in the halls.”
While Sgt. Polniak noticed a difference in student relationships since his time at OFA; he was surprised to see so many of the teachers he had when he was a student. He also noted the abundance of school spirit, and all of the ways that staff and administration promote that sense of school pride.
Sgt. Polniak was impressed by the number of opportunities available to students at OFA as well. “The programs and technology that students have access to are great. That the school is making big strides for the kids,” Sgt. Polniak said. “There are a few students participating in the National Guard program this summer that are pursuing a military and law enforcement career path that have already stopped to chat with me, asking about what a future in law enforcement might entail. Between the guidance counselors and the social workers, I feel like the support system here is amazing.”