Posted january 26, 2012

Lisha Kill DARE Officer Enjoys New Role Working With Children

By Katie McManus, Colonie Central High School Senior

Working with middle-age school children to help set them on the right path in life is a new role for Colonie Police Officer Becky Reuker, but it’s one she is enjoying.

Officer Reuker was unexpectedly thrust into the position as new DARE officer at Lisha Kill Middle School this fall when Officer Patrick Germaine was injured while on duty. Since that time she has got to know the students as she shares with them necessary information on the dangers of drugs, alcohol and peer pressure during a formidable time in their lives.

“It’s nice to go out on patrol, but it’s also nice to walk into the classroom and have the kids give you a big hug,” said Officer Reuker, who is celebrating her sixth year on the Colonie Police force. “The kids are great! They are very enthusiastic and want to learn.”

Officer Reuker has been Lisha Kill’s DARE officer since October. Prior to police duty she worked for the state after graduating from the State University at Albany with a degree in psychology and a double minor in criminal justice and business.

More about DARE

Standing for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, the DARE curriculum covers information about mainly tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol. The program also teaches young people how to make good choices. Although a set curriculum exists for the program, Officer Reuker goes above and beyond to teach students about bullying - an issue all too relevant in schools today.

She believes DARE specifically targets middle school-aged children because, “It’s good to get to them now while they are strongly influenced.” She hopes that the friendly environment she strives to create in and outside of the classroom will give the students confidence to approach authority figures.

“If they do get into a jam, maybe they’ll come to a police officer before they go down the wrong path,” she said.
Officer Reuker also makes an effort to interact with students outside the classroom as often as she can. How have students reacted to that approach?

They are “tight lipped,” at first, she said, “but it doesn’t take long for them to open up to you.” In fact, some students have even had the confidence to address her about their concerns over bullying, she said.

Although she has only been teaching for a few months, Officer Reuker is well on her way to changing the lives of her students, and Lisha Kill Middle School is happy to have her.