By Molly Seales

Faculty, students, and parents came back to school for the 2022-23 school year to another new face on campus-Officer Chris Jordan. Officer Chris is Riverdale’s first ever School Resource Officer (SRO,) and we are all excited to have him on campus.  In the photo, Officer Jordan is being interviewed by Junior Kyle Guillory for a KREB news segment.

Jordan is originally from Winnfield, LA, and moved to Baton Rouge when he graduated from high school in 2005 to attend LSU. While in Baton Rouge, he began working for the undersecretary for the Louisiana State Police. While he was working there, he decided to enroll in real estate school and became a licensed real estate agent in 2016; he is still licensed today.

Officer Chris said he always felt a calling to become a police officer, but he was also indecisive. His father has been in law enforcement for almost 49 years, and he has looked up to him his entire life for the profession he chose. Once the real estate market slowed down, he decided he wanted more structure in his life, so he took a job with the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office. He was encouraged by several coworkers to attend the police academy and to be committed to the strenuous training. He successfully graduated in 2019 as a Louisiana POST Certified Deputy. He continued working for the State Fire Marshal until January 2021. After living in Baton Rouge for almost 16 years, Officer Chris decided he wanted to be closer to family and began his career as a patrol deputy for the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Department.

I asked Officer Chris about SRO’s and their duties. He said that an SRO is a sworn law enforcement officer, specifically assigned by the sheriff’s department, to provide security, educational training, and relationship building services in his or her assigned school. He is at Riverdale to help maintain a safe and secure environment for the students and staff, serve as a positive role model to the students, and promote positive attitudes regarding the police role in society to all. He also intends to work with Principal Danny Rester in developing new and revised plans to prevent dangerous situation’s that may occur on Riverdale’s campus.

Officer Chris said his favorite thing about Riverdale so far has been engaging with students and teachers, as well as meeting parents and people new to him in the community. This job opportunity has opened multiple doors for him to make a positive impact on anyone attending Riverdale, the staff, and the parents. He looks forward to learning more as the school year goes on to further his education as an SRO.

In his spare time, Officer Chris enjoys spending time with his dog, Indie, socializing with friends, taking trips, and taking some time to rest and relax. Welcome to Riverdale Officer Chris!

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