HIRED TO STAFF THE newly created Fairfield Independent School District Police Department are Billy Barlow and Glenda Bass. The officers are leaving Fairfield Police Department to start their new jobs. Fairfield Independent School District creates its own in-house police department, effective Oct. 1, and has hired current school resource officer Billy Barlow and an additional officer, Cpl. Glenda Bass.

The school district has contracted with the Fairfield Police Department for four years, but SRO Barlow has officially remained an employee of the FPD. As of Oct. 1, Barlow and Cpl. Bass become FISD employees.

"A peace officer employed by the City of Fairfield only has jurisdiction within the city limits. Our school district covers 455 square miles, many of these miles are outside of the city limits. Being employed by the school will allow the SRO to work for the school outside of the city limits as well as at out of district events," says FISD superintendent Katie Ryan.

The addition of Cpl. Bass reflects the growth of the school district, Mrs. Ryan points out.

"FISD is growing and will bring on another campus next school year. After evaluating one officer and how much he has to cover, the district sees that it is in the best interest of our students and their needs to bring on a second officer to assist with official duties. The primary focus will be to continue to create an atmosphere that is safe and conducive for learning," she adds.

Barlow and Cpl. Bass are both Fairfield high school graduates. Barlow first went to work for the Freestone County Sheriff's Department in 1990, and transferred to the Fairfield Police Department in 1996. He and his wife, Lupe, have two sons, Ben, 15 and Zac, 10.

Cpl. Bass and her husband, LaCharles, have three children, Michael, 26, Gavin, 19, and Keyosha, 13. Employed with the Cedar Hill school district until 2005, Cpl. Bass says she went to work at the Fairfield Police Department when she and her husband returned to Fairfield. She leaves the FPD as the crimes against children officer, and says all her certifications are in that area.

"I appreciate the Fairfield Police Department, they were home. But, my heart is with children," Cpl. Bass says.

The two officers went to high school together, and their families have been friends for many years. They both agree that working together will be like working with family.

"There will be no ranks here," Barlow points out.

Their objective at FISD will be more proactive than reactive. "We want to stop problems before they start," Barlow says.

Both officers will be responsible for working all campuses, and will provide educational classes and lessons, prevention and intervention measures, improved security and surveillance measures on all campuses, crowd control and safety at extra-curricular events and administrative assistance with truancy, superintendent Ryan says.

"FISD is excited to bring on Officer Glenda Bass and Officer Billy Barlow. We know they will make a great addition to the FISD team. Their knowledge and talents will help FISD reach its district goal of improved awareness to our environment and providing students with a safe and secure learning environment," she adds.