Det. Chad Harmon is new resource officer at Cape High

A new resource officer is patrolling the halls and ground of Cape High.

Detective Chad Harmon, a 22-year veteran of the Delaware State Police and 1995 Cape High grad, was named school resource officer following the retirement of Master Cpl. Timothy Wolansky.

“I always thought it would be cool to one day walk the halls of the school I attended when I was a kid,” Harmon said. “I’m happy to be here.”

Harmon spent the first 10 years of his career as a patrol trooper at Troop 7.  In 2008, he was selected to be a school resource officer and served at Sussex Central High until joining Cape.

“My role here is building security, developing positive relationships with kids, and being a resource and role model to them, and supporting staff,” he said. “At the end of the day, I’m a police officer, so I also investigate any criminal complaints within the school.”

Harmon said he likes to start his day outside, in front of the school’s main entrance, while students arrive. While students are in class, he completes administrative work.

“I like to be out and about, and seen in the hallways while students are changing classes and at lunch,” he said.

Harmon said he wants to be a resource for both students and staff. He said he attends yearly training every summer to learn legal updates, security risks, drug trends, and cyber and social media issues.

“The laws are constantly changing,” he said. “Delaware is leaning toward issuing civil citations to students, rather than arresting juveniles. It’s like a first-offender program. If the student completes all requirements, there will be no criminal record.”

Harmon is one of two school resource officers in the district. Cpl. Crysti Davis is based at Sussex Consortium. Harmon said Davis will cover primarily the Consortium, Mariner Middle, and Milton and H.O. Brittingham elementaries, and he oversees Cape High, Beacon Middle, and Love Creek, Shields and Rehoboth elementaries.

“But we share responsibilities and help each other,” he said. “Everyone has been very welcoming.”