OSAKIS – The Osakis School Board and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office are partnering to provide a school liaison officer beginning this fall.

The school board unanimously approved a two-year agreement with ISD 213 and Douglas County on Monday evening, August 12. The agreement must be approved by the Douglas County School Board for it to go into effect.

Photo provided by Douglas County Sheriff’s Department

If an agreement is reached, Deputy Nicole Swanson will become the new SRO. Swanson has been with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for eight years, including five years as an SRO in communities throughout the county.

According to the agreement, the School Resource Officer promotes a positive school climate through communication and relationship building, serves as a liaison between law enforcement and school officials, provides advice on safety drills, promotes crime prevention, ensures safety in schools and on district grounds, and provides law enforcement and justice education and guidance to students.

Dave Gizinski, formerly of the Osakis Police Department, was selected for the position before accepting a job as a deputy sheriff in another county.

Alexandria Echo Press/Lisa Johnson

Meanwhile, at Monday’s Osakis City Council meeting, Officer Brandon Breer was sworn in as the newest member of the Osakis Police Department. Breer is an Alexandria native and graduated from Alexandria Technical College last year.