IN Bethel Park Winter 2016 | Page 59

The Bethel Park School District is pleased to welcome Bethel Park Police Officer Eric Anibaldi as the District ’ s new School Resource Officer .

Officer Anibaldi works closely with Bethel Park School District Police Officer Jim Modrak to not only keep the schools safe , but to also serve as a positive role model for students .

While Officer Anibaldi is primarily based at Neil Armstrong Middle School , he will also work with the five Bethel Park elementary schools , but the students at Independence Middle School and the High School already see him daily as he begins his day at the High School , assisting with student arrival .

The new School Resource Officer has been working in law enforcement since 1999 , and as a member of the Bethel Park Police Department since 2002 . His career began in Herndon , Virginia , but he wanted to return to Pennsylvania , as his wife is a native of the South Hills and he is originally from Punxatawney .

As a Bethel Park Police Officer , he has worked as a Patrol Officer , a Bike Patrol Officer and as a member of the Investigations Unit . He continues to serve as a Criminal Investigator for all juvenile cases that the BPPD handles .

Being a School Resource Officer was something he always thought about throughout his career , but he never imagined being approached about taking over the position .

“ I was extremely flattered to be asked to serve as Bethel Park ’ s School Resource Officer ,” explained Officer Anibaldi . “ It didn ’ t take me very long after consulting with my family to say ‘ yes ’ to the offer .

“ The SRO Program in Bethel Park is so well-established and respected ,” he said . “ The Program has had a long history of success , first with Officer Modrak and then with Officer Zinsmeister . It is my goal to continue the good work that these two Officers began and to build upon the successes of the program .”

Bethel Park began its School Resource Officer Program during the 2002-2003 school year , and the program has been successful bridging the gaps between students , their families and the schools .

Officer Anibaldi ’ s first impression of the School District as School Resource Officer was nothing but positive . “ The staff is just fantastic . I am so impressed with how

MEET NEW BETHEL PARK SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER — ERIC ANIBALDI

enthusiastic they are about education and how caring they are about the students ,” he said .

“ The students have also been very welcoming of me to their schools . While my prime responsibility will be as a safety presence in the schools , I would also like the students to see me as a mentor and an informal counselor — somebody they can talk to and trust .”

Bethel Park School Police Officer Jim Modrak — the District ’ s first School Resource Officer — looks forward to working with the new School Resource Officer . “ I have worked with Officer Anibaldi for the past 15 years , and I am impressed with his ability to communicate and relate to the community ,” said Officer Modrak . “ These are the skills that are needed to be a successful School Resource Officer and I look forward to partnering with

Officer Anibaldi to continue the success of the Bethel Park School Resource Officer Program .”

Officer Anibaldi ’ s major goal as he begins his tenure in this new position is to establish and foster relationships within the School District — including faculty , administration , students and parents .

Already he has been to all of the schools , talking to teachers and students . He also has talked about the importance of effective communications to the English / Language Arts students at Neil Armstrong .

In his free time , Officer Anibaldi enjoys spending time with his family — his wife and his three sons — and especially enjoys coaching his sons ’ baseball and soccer teams . He also enjoys writing .

Anyone who is interested in contacting Officer Anibaldi can do so at anibaldi . eric @ bphawks . org .

New Bethel Park School Police Officer Eric Anibaldi looks forward to serving as a positive role model for all Bethel Park students , but especially for those at Neil Armstrong and the elementary schools . ethel Park

BETHEL PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT

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