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Changing police perceptions
CANFIELD
When Steve Garstka, 31, student resource officer for Canfield schools, isn’t patrolling school corridors, working cases and educating students, he’s expanding his cooking skills, spending time with his family and throwing birthday parties for his furry companion Barren.
There’s more to this officer than a tough exterior.
His criminal-justice career started after he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from Youngstown State University.
Instead of becoming a teacher, Garstka decided to go from an eight-year position at Red Diamond Uniform & Police Supply, 4437 Mahoning Ave., to the police academy.
“I think working there [Red Diamond] and talking to the people I met really inspired me to get into criminal justice,” he said.
His education degree came in handy when he pursued the student resource officer job because of his academic background and a continuing “desire to work with kids.”
Canfield Detective Brian McGivern said not only is the position an excellent avenue for communication – by dispersing information to students who take it home to parents – but it is also a perfect fit for Garstka.
“It’s rewarding and I have a lot of fun,” Garstka said. “It’s so different than patrol. It’s a less serious role and more humanized.”
An extra responsibility Garstka took on was giving students a more positive image about officers.
He said it’s an honor to be able to change perceptions students and even adults have about law-enforcement officers.
“It’s nice to have him within schools educating [students], and it’s nice to have the kids grow up in schools with an SRO to know and trust early on,” McGivern said.
Schools Superintendent Alex Geordan agreed.
“What’s important there with Steve [Garstska] is building relationships with students and having a rapport with them and kind of an understanding,” he said. “It’s about getting those youngsters more comfortable being around and coming to the police.”
That is his favorite part of the job, Garstka said.
“It’s all about the relationships you build,” he said. “It’s my most important duty and [that] makes it a great career to have.”
Although Garstka said he’s just doing what he thinks should be done with students, his girlfriend Amanda Wilkie said it’s more.
“He’s such a wonderful man, and he’s always so involved,” she said. “He’s always happy and willing to be a big part in the community.”