(May 15, 2022) - The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) will present the Nick Derzis Safe School Leadership Award for contributions and dedication to an SRO program to Dr. William Long, CGCSC assistant superintendent. Dr. Long worked to establish the Center Grove School Police Department in 2008. He was also instrumental in establishing the Center Grove Emergency Operations Center, a collaborative effort between multiple agencies to create a central response location to provide quicker, life-saving services to the community.

"I am humbled and honored to receive the Chief Nicholas Derzis Safe School Leadership Award from NASRO," said Dr. Long. "As a corporation, we have focused on creating a safe and secure learning environment for everyone and the superintendent and school board has given us the resources to put our plan into action. School safety has been a top priority for me and to be recognized for what we have accomplished is quite the honor.”

“Dr. Long is a shining example of safe school leadership," said NASRO Executive Director Mo Canady. "His advocacy for SROs, who are carefully selected, specifically trained, and properly equipped is an asset not only to his school police department, but to his community as a whole.”

NASRO will present this award on July 4, 2022 at their 2022 National School Safety Conference in Aurora, Colorado.