Campus Cop

A Foley police officer has traded in his police cruiser for a set of classroom keys. Labron Williams is the new school resource officer at Foley Middle School. Williams has an office near the principal's office and will be stationed at the school five days a week.

"I'm hoping to make a difference in the lives of students," says Williams. "We want to reach out to these students early and get them on the right path before high school. We want to let them know we're not just here to make arrests, but we're here to help them."

Williams will also patrol Foley's three other schools this year.

"With an increased police presence on campus, schools will be safer," says Williams.

Teachers and administrators tell News 5 they can already see a difference on campus.

"Having Officer Williams here is a blessing," says Foley Middle School principal Branton Bailey. "Most situations we can handle as administrators but it's good to have an officer here on campus."

"Students can now concentrate on their learning and their studies," says teacher Melanie Bishop. "And now they don't have to worry about bullies or any other problems from students. The officer is right down the hall from us."

Officer Williams was nationally certified as a school resource officer this summer. The Foley Police Department could hire more school resource officers in the future.