Ryan Miskell: "More than enforcing the law"

Officer Miskell during SBHS lunch

As a school administrator we often have the need or responsibility to interact and work with law enforcement.   As you can imagine, this can be a positive or challenging experience; especially when kids are involved.

South Bend Public Schools is fortunate to have the City of South Bend Police Department as a community partner and resource.  A big part of this partnership comes from Officer Ryan Miskell, and the daily interactions he has with our students.

Made possible through a grant from the Pacific County Teen Advocacy Coalition, Officer Miskell is available to students most days of the week during student lunch times---not to enforce the law, but to build relationships with kids.  "Students don't always have someone safe to talk to," says Miskell, who came to South Bend in 2013.  "They come to me for help, whether it is for them or a friend, and they know I'm here to offer that help."

Of course, students will only come to an adult, especially a uniformed police officer, if they trust that individual.  This is where Officer Miskell shines.  "I think the kids here know that I'm someone they can come to for support, I spend a lot of time talking with the kids and building positive relationships--they are comfortable coming to me for help, " he continues.  By having trusting relationships with kids, Officer Miskell hopes to prevent difficult situations from getting worse.  He is often called upon at all hours of the night when students are in need.  "I find situations at least weekly, where my relationships with students come into play during a time of hardship," says Officer Miskell.  "When I respond to an incident at a student home, a car accident, or other situation, I can often see the relief in the student's eyes seeing me show up to help."  "It definitely makes a difference in the whole situation," he continues.

When students feel safe at school, safe at home, and safe in their community, they are better able to learn.  Officer Miskell is a solid role model and I am thankful to have him in our community and helping at our schools.  In addition to his school role, he also helps kids with reading at our summer school, volunteers with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and can be relied upon to help out with most any school or community function.   Having two children of his own (5th grade student and preschool student), Ryan Miskell has a passion for kids, and wants to help create good opportunities for their future.  All of these things add to the positive educational environment we offer our kids in South Bend.  Another example of great people doing things to support students.

The staff and students of South Bend Public Schools are fortunate to have Officer Miskell in our buildings.  Please take time to thank him for his efforts, he brings a lot of good things to the table.