It was a match made in heaven.
The term community policing, where law enforcement organizations work in league with community groups and citizens to provide safety and security, was taking root in the early 1990s, just as Tom Roush was finding his niche with the Iola Police Department.
It wasn’t long after he started with the IPD that Roush agreed to take on the role of community resource officer.
That meant going into schools on a nearly daily basis to lead Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) classes, visiting frequently with groups like Rotary and Kiwanis to talk about various law enforcement issues of the day, and spearheading other endeavors, such as the Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs (HOFNOD) fishing derbies, or annual fun days, where emergency crews would allow youngsters to check out their patrol cars, ambulances, fire trucks, and more.
Roush’s work netted him an invitation to a governor’s fishing derby. He also was honored by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for turning HOFNOD into a premiere event.
At its zenith, the fishing derby would draw 300 or more kids.
He also launched the COOL at School campaign — Cops Out On Lunch — where Roush encouraged fellow officers to pay a visit to school cafeterias to dine alongside the youngsters.
Anything to help forge a connection between youngsters and those tasked with serving and protecting them.
Sure, it took countless hours to put such events together.
It’s always easier when you’re having fun, Roush admitted.
“Those were some of the best years I’ve had,” Roush said. “I just enjoyed teaching kids, exposing them to law enforcement. I think it was because we were on the same level.”
It was nothing for a youngster to approach Roush, regardless of whether he was in uniform, to ask for a balloon animal. (He kept a stash of balloons in his pocket for such occasions, even when he was off duty.)
“I can still do a few animals, for my grandkids,” he noted. “But it’s been a while.”
Roush reflected on his law enforcement career, which concluded with his retirement Sunday after 37 years with IPD.
“I just loved all of it,” he said. “I loved being outside, doing everything, meeting people.”
ROUSH grew up in Iola, graduating from Iola High School in 1980.
He served briefly in the Air Force after high school, but agreed for a voluntary honorable discharge as the military was looking to make budget cutbacks, and he realized his duties as a nuclear weapons specialist likely wouldn’t have much of a benefit once he returned to the private sector.
