MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- While Marines aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico are training and ready to protect their country at any given moment, there is also someone protecting their children at school.
Ridgecrest, Calif., native, Michelle E. Quick-Reyes, civilian police officer, stepped up to that challenge of being the school resource officer for the Quantico Middle/High School last year, and hit the ground running.
“I always wanted to be in law enforcement,” Reyes said. “I remember watching a show when I was 8 years old, where a female officer was on a foot pursuit with a guy that was trying to break into a gas station. Ever since that episode, I just knew that protecting the innocent from harm was something I wanted to do in the future.”
Reyes came aboard MCB Quantico with her children and husband, Staff Sgt. Kimo Quick-Reyes, administration chief to base commander, who was stationed here in 2010. Early 2011, with a bachelor in criminal justice, Reyes joined the Quantico police force and, when the opportunity to work with children by becoming the SRO arrived, she jumped at the chance.
“She was very excited when she was selected to be the SRO,” Kimo said. “To her, this is an opportunity to better serve the base and the community. She wants to give families a peace of mind knowing that she is always watching them, that way their parents can focus on their missions at work, not worry about the security of their children.”
The main goal of an SRO is to prevent juvenile delinquency by promoting positive relations between youth and law enforcement. Reyes promotes education programs provided by Security Battalion, such as the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program that gives students the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence.
Reyes is more than a "cop" who patrols though the school hallways. She doesn’t just enforce policies, she listens as well.
Having children of her own, she understands how to interact with the students and figure out what they are going through. Also with students from different backgrounds or having parents who are currently deployed, she believes that developing relationships or trust with the students is key.
“She is a phenomenal person and professional,” said Michael Johnson, principal, QMHS. “She’s open and accessible to the students at all times. She really has a strong connection with them, enough that the children don’t exercise any apprehension about bringing things to her attention.”
From the start of the day untill every single student has gone home, Reyes goes throughout the school making sure the children are getting everything they need to succeed. Reyes is also grateful that Security Battalion has allowed her to fill the SRO role and is honored the parents of the students feel safe with her protecting their children.
“Ultimately, children should feel secure in school,” Reyes said. “I want to assure their parents there will be no reason for them to be scared for their children to go to school.”