The Hollister School District is gaining a second school resource officer, and the city’s police department has selected Theresa Aguilera from its ranks to fill the role.
“This is a pretty contested job,” Hollister Police Chief David Westrick. “There’s a lot of interest within our own ranks here that kind of wanted to do it.”
Aguilera has served in the department as a detective and a field training officer who instructs new officers.Shewas selected based on the evaluation of her application, a letter of interest, and interviews with a board of police department and school district employees.
The position is funded by $125,000 from a Community Orientated Policing Services grant with remaining costs shared by the district and city.
The two school resource officers will serve together for less than a year since the current officer’s position is also partially funded with grant money, which ends mid-year next school year.
Having the second officer will push the Gang Resistance Education And Training program to the next level by allowing more kids to participate since there will be two instructors, Westrick said.
The police chief also sees the new position helping with traffic when students are arriving at school or leaving campus. Westrick plans to ask for a traffic director position during the city council’s next budget session, he said.
Aguilera will begin training in July, but will start working in the role with the current school resource officer this month.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Westrick said. “She’s a very good officer.”
