Lowell Police Recognize School Resource Officer Appreciation Day, Add Seventh Officer to Unit

LOWELL — Acting Superintendent Barry Golner reports that the Lowell Police Department added a seventh officer to the School Resource Officer Unit as it recognizes School Resource Officer Appreciation Day. 

Officer Erica Torres, a Lowell native who is fluent in both English and Portuguese, was selected to join the unit and is now working in Lowell Public Schools.

Officer Torres is a Lowell High School graduate who is working toward a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at Anna Maria College. She has served with Lowell Police since 2020. 

“Growing up in Back Central and going to Lowell Public school systems, I was able to get to know some of my SRO’s throughout the schools. I remember one SRO, Officer Sergio Maldonado and how greatly he made a positive impact in my life,” said Officer Torres. “With that great influence and me becoming a police officer, I have always wanted to pass that forward. So when the SRO opportunity arose, I was excited to have a chance to connect with the students and be that positive influence.”

The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) has declared Feb. 15 National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day, and encourages communities to recognize the accomplishments of their school resource officers.

NASRO defines School Resource Officers as “full-time law enforcement officers with sworn law enforcement authority, trained in school-based policing and crisis response and assigned by an employing law enforcement agency to work with schools using community-oriented policing concepts.”

In recognition of School Resource Officer Appreciation Day, the department is releasing individualized graphics and photographs to introduce all eight members of the unit to the community on social media. 

The Lowell Police Department’s School Resource Officer Unit was reduced in size during the COVID-19 pandemic, but with the addition of Officer Torres it is now back up to seven officers and a sergeant serving in city schools. 

“Our school resource officers work in one of our most important positions, on the forefront of our efforts to build relationships with youth, our schools, and our community,” said Acting Superintendent Barry Golner. “The Lowell Police Department and Lowell Public Schools enjoy an excellent and close working relationship, and I am excited to have Officer Torres join our SRO team.”