Customized SUV Helps Mich. School Resource Officer Build Police Support

Sept. 7, 2022

The idea behind the vehicle's new look is to present a supportive, approachable look for the Trenton Police Department and further enhance students' relationship with the school resource officer.

By Jackie Martin

Source The News Herald, Southgate, Mich.

The Trenton, MI, Police Department's new SUV for the school resource officer at the high school was customized to better enhance the relationship between students and police.

With the introduction of a new school year comes a presentation of a new "concept car" for students at Trenton High School — and they are going to be seeing a lot of it.

School Resource Officer Cpl. Sean Szcepaniak is returning to the district with a new look to his vehicle.

The police car will be a show of Trenton Trojan pride for Szcepaniak's newly detailed Ford Explorer.

The cruiser sports the double Ts, for Trenton Trojans, on its hood in blue and yellow block lettering, and it is centered on the back window and on the side of the vehicle as well.

Perhaps the most notable symbol of school pride is the drawing of a Trojan head that covers a good portion of the rear side of the vehicle, just beyond the passenger's window.

One side of the SUV reads, " City of Trenton Police School Resource Officer."

The idea to customize the truck came up in discussion at the police station as a suggestion.

According to Police Chief Michael Oakley, everyone thought it was a great idea.

He said the concept was then brought to School Supt. Doug Mentzer, who gave it two thumbs up.

The concept behind the design isn't to give Szcepaniak a cool car to ride around the district in when on the job.

The idea is to present a supportive and approachable law enforcement presentation before students on a regular basis.

School and police officials believe it will further enhance the relationship the resource officer has with students.

"He does a fantastic job," Oakley said of Szcepaniak. "He is someone who's more approachable for the kids. They relate to him."

The resource officer's focus is not just on one school, his work has him interacting in all four school buildings within the district at all grade levels.

"I think the high school kids will like it," Oakley said. "The students have a lot of pride in that Trojan head.

A good deal of the design came from Szcepaniak.

Mentzer and other officers offered their input and the final design was completed.

"I think everybody is happy with it," Oakley said.

It's not just the students who are loving the vehicle.

Adults are offering some pretty high praise for the idea, too.

Words like, "cool, sweet, awesome, gorgeous and nice ride," have all been used to describe the district's patrol car on social media.

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