Safe, Supported, and Smiling: Officer Turner’s Story
October 22, 2025 – At Westview Elementary, one familiar face greets students every morning with a smile. Officer Jennifer Turner, the school’s Safety and Security Officer (SSO), is known for her kindness and the way she truly cares for every child. She works hard to make sure students feel safe, supported, and loved the moment they walk through the doors.
Before coming to Westview, Turner worked as a police officer in Georgia. “My husband and I moved here because he was working for Life Force,” she said. “I had three kids who started in the school district, and I needed a job, so I worked part-time here at Westview as a science teacher. I loved working at the school and getting to know the kids.”
When Westview’s first SSO decided to return to patrol work, he encouraged Turner to take his place. “He said, ‘I’m leaving. I want you to take my job.’ And I met his bosses, and they hired me on the spot,” Turner said. She first worked at another school, but eventually came back to Westview, where she has now served as an SSO for three years.
Turner’s days are never the same. “I get here, turn on my cameras, put on all my equipment, and go outside,” she explained. Building relationships is a big part of her job. “I try to be intentional with everything I do,” Turner said. “Relationships are so important because they build trust, and trust makes people feel safe.” She often walks the halls, visits classrooms, and even joins the students on the playground. “You’ll see me out and about or in a classroom. The teachers here are great.”
Turner is also highly trained. “We do defensive tactics, de-escalation, and shooting qualifications. I’m actually an active shooter instructor,” she said. “We teach active shooter responses to certify our officers, and I’m an instructor for both civilians and law enforcement.”
Even with all the serious safety work, Turner knows that the connection with kids is what really matters.
“I’m more of a mentor and friendly face than someone who just sits and monitors cameras,” she said. Walking through the hallways, students wave, call out her name, give her a hug, or stop to tell her how their day is going. “They come up to me just to say hi or to talk about how they’re feeling,” Turner said. “When students are upset, I take time to listen.”
If the students are having issues in the classroom, she is able to step in to remove them from the situation, “I’ll walk them outside or let them sit in my office where I have some de-escalation toys. Then they usually calm down and reset.”
Turner also teaches lessons about safety and responsibility. “I do bus safety with Buster the Bus. We also talk about fire safety, laws versus rules, and even social media safety.” She once challenged students to delete social media apps that weren’t age-appropriate. “They signed a contract, and I gave them raffle tickets for prizes. Some kids even won jump park passes.”
Her favorite part of the job is simple. “The relationships that I have with the kids, their families, and the staff,” Turner said. “I run a garden club at the school. The kids dig, plant, and learn about butterflies. It teaches them to be proud of their school and to build good character.”
As for what she wants people to know during School Safety Week, Turner said it best: “It really is such a community effort. We’re supported by the school district, the staff, and the community. Our job is to keep everybody safe, but we’re also here to build relationships and a strong community. I love what I do. I’m thankful for the job and the memories we’ve made. We keep them safe, but we have fun.”
For Turner, being an SSO is more than just a job — it’s a calling. “I truly believe I was meant to be an SSO. I love these kids as if they were my own! I love the relationships we have built. I’m the lucky one to be able to serve this community! “
Thank you, Officer Turner, for your dedication to keeping Westview safe. Your heart for students and passion for building connections shine throughout our school community. 💙
