New SRO to serve in four elementary schools

Officer Jason Bolden reads to students. Bolden was recently named SRO for four Madison City Schools. (CONTRIBUTED)

By Aldo Amato

For The Record

MADISON — A week after losing his faithful companion “Gunny”, Madison Police Officer Jason Bolden was named the Student Resource Officer (SRO) for four Madison City elementary schools.

Bolden, who has been with department since 2005, began his new position as SRO to Columbia, Heratige, Mill Creek and West Madison Elementary schools on March 18.

Sgt. Clayton Jordan, who heads the SRO program, said he knows Bolden from when Bolden joined the force and that he is happy to have him on board and assisting other officers throughout Madison City Schools.

“I’ve worked with him a few years back and as a former Marine, we have a common bond,” Jordan said. “Jason is going to be a big asset to us. Before he came on board, we only had one officer working the elementary schools so he is going mean a lot to this force.”

Before Bolden replaced Officer Ed Sasan, he worked with the K9 unit and trained other K9 unit officers. Jordan said that though the experience may be different, Bolden will enjoy working closer with children.

“You’re working closer with students and getting to know them better,” he said. “Officers like Jason are able to be a mentor to those children who may not have a mentor at home.”

Jordan said that Officers Bolden, Dawe, Petus and Sims will attend the basic SRO academy in Opelika while the schools are on spring break. He added that all the officers will continue their standard drug prevention and decision making awareness programs.