School resource deputy welcomes chance
to make an impact in school districts
to make an impact in school districts
By Bruce Rolfe
A veteran of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department for 20 years this March is welcoming a new opportunity as school resource deputy in the Climax-Scotts and Galesburg-Augusta School Districts.
Deputy Erik Benton has been selected, in collaboration with the G-A and C-S School Districts, to fill the SRD position Sgt. Matt Murphy held in both school districts before he was promoted to a sergeant recently.
Murphy was in his second year in the position in the two school districts.
The SRD assignment took effect January 1.
Benton said he hopes to make a positive impact and build relationships in both school districts.
“I would like to hopefully be a mentor. A role model for some of these kids. Maybe some of them have had a bad experience with police officers. I’m hoping if that’s the case, maybe I can change it around.
And just be part of the community,” said the new school resource deputy.
“Let people know that police are here to help. That’s where I want to be, here to help and have fun with the kids,” adds Benton.
The new SRD said besides being a positive role model and someone students can turn to, he hopes to educate students on making good choices as well. Eventually, he said he would like to put some
presentations together geared toward seniors about the dangers of texting and driving and drinking and driving. He also would like to educate students on motor vehicle laws.
Benton has been in law enforcement a total of 22 years, starting his career as a part time police officer in Lake Odessa in Ionia County for two years.
He was initially assigned to work at the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport when he started at the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department. From there, he spent seven years working in the
Kalamazoo County jail, followed by three years working with the South West Enforcement Team (SWET), the Michigan State Police operated drug team. He’s also been a part of the Kalamazoo County Meth
Response Team and since 2016, Benton has been working road patrol for the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department.
Benton, who grew up in the City of Wyoming and graduated from Wyoming Park High School, said a passion to help people is what motivated him to get into law enforcement.
“It may sound very cliché, but that’s what I want to do. Kind of in a way, you’re almost like a super hero. When someone’s calling for help, you have to show up and help them out and make sure everything’s o.k. and do what you can to fix the situation they’re in,” said Benton.
Murphy will remain in both school districts for a period of time, assisting in the transition period with the new SRD.
Benton and his wife have a five-year-old son.
The C-S and G-A School Districts shared the school resource deputy cost last year and continue the arrangement this year through a state grant. C-S Superintendent of Schools Doug Newington said the C-S School District has a three-year agreement with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department. He said C-S’ cost last year was approximately $37,500. Under the current arrangement, the SRD spends 40 percent of the time in the C-S School District and 60 percent in the G-A School District. The G-A School District said G-A’s share for 2023-24 was $56,227.
In addition, Deputy Eric Root has been named to an SRD assignment in the Gull Lake School District.
A veteran of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department for 20 years this March is welcoming a new opportunity as school resource deputy in the Climax-Scotts and Galesburg-Augusta School Districts.
Deputy Erik Benton has been selected, in collaboration with the G-A and C-S School Districts, to fill the SRD position Sgt. Matt Murphy held in both school districts before he was promoted to a sergeant recently.
Murphy was in his second year in the position in the two school districts.
The SRD assignment took effect January 1.
Benton said he hopes to make a positive impact and build relationships in both school districts.
“I would like to hopefully be a mentor. A role model for some of these kids. Maybe some of them have had a bad experience with police officers. I’m hoping if that’s the case, maybe I can change it around.
And just be part of the community,” said the new school resource deputy.
“Let people know that police are here to help. That’s where I want to be, here to help and have fun with the kids,” adds Benton.
The new SRD said besides being a positive role model and someone students can turn to, he hopes to educate students on making good choices as well. Eventually, he said he would like to put some
presentations together geared toward seniors about the dangers of texting and driving and drinking and driving. He also would like to educate students on motor vehicle laws.
Benton has been in law enforcement a total of 22 years, starting his career as a part time police officer in Lake Odessa in Ionia County for two years.
He was initially assigned to work at the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport when he started at the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department. From there, he spent seven years working in the
Kalamazoo County jail, followed by three years working with the South West Enforcement Team (SWET), the Michigan State Police operated drug team. He’s also been a part of the Kalamazoo County Meth
Response Team and since 2016, Benton has been working road patrol for the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department.
Benton, who grew up in the City of Wyoming and graduated from Wyoming Park High School, said a passion to help people is what motivated him to get into law enforcement.
“It may sound very cliché, but that’s what I want to do. Kind of in a way, you’re almost like a super hero. When someone’s calling for help, you have to show up and help them out and make sure everything’s o.k. and do what you can to fix the situation they’re in,” said Benton.
Murphy will remain in both school districts for a period of time, assisting in the transition period with the new SRD.
Benton and his wife have a five-year-old son.
The C-S and G-A School Districts shared the school resource deputy cost last year and continue the arrangement this year through a state grant. C-S Superintendent of Schools Doug Newington said the C-S School District has a three-year agreement with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department. He said C-S’ cost last year was approximately $37,500. Under the current arrangement, the SRD spends 40 percent of the time in the C-S School District and 60 percent in the G-A School District. The G-A School District said G-A’s share for 2023-24 was $56,227.
In addition, Deputy Eric Root has been named to an SRD assignment in the Gull Lake School District.
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