Pictured: Officer John Scanlon and Principal Dave Marshall '02
As part of CBA’s continued commitment to student safety and emergency preparedness, the school is pleased to announce that Officer John Scanlon officially joined the community on Sept. 18 in the position of Constable.
By definition, a Constable is a public official who has all the powers of a Peace Officer under New York State Law. For the past year, CBA has been working with the Town of DeWitt Police Department to secure a Constable who will be a daily presence in the building in addition to Mr. Tom Owens, the attendance and campus safety officer.
Officer Scanlon comes to CBA with over 30 years of experience in law enforcement, including 17 years as an Onondaga County Sheriff, and the last 16 years as an SPO/SRO in two neighbouring Central New York school districts. Officer Scanlon has recently completed all required evaluations and trainings with the Town of DeWitt Police Department.
“Our decision to establish this position reflects our responsibility to continually evaluate and strengthen the ways in which we care for our students and one another,” Principal Dave Marshall ’02 shared. “The safety and well-being of our students is fundamental to our mission, and we believe that having a dedicated armed Constable will provide an additional layer of support and security, while also contributing positively to the culture of our school.”
Officer Scanlon will serve as a visible and approachable presence on campus. In addition to supporting campus safety and security, he will work collaboratively with the administration, faculty, staff, students, families, and local law enforcement partners. The position will include responsibilities such as monitoring the school campus, assisting with traffic and arrival/dismissal procedures, responding to safety concerns, supporting emergency preparedness, and helping maintain a secure environment for school activities and events.
“Just as importantly, we envision the Constable as someone who will build relationships with our students,” Marshall added. “A successful school safety program is not simply about responding when something goes wrong; it is also about knowing our students, understanding our school environment, identifying concerns early, and helping students feel comfortable seeking assistance when they need it. Officer Scanlon will have an opportunity to become a familiar and trusted adult presence within our school.”
