BEATRICE – The Beatrice Middle School will be getting a new School Resource Officer from the Beatrice Police Department. Longtime SRO Tim Price is returning to road patrol operations with Beatrice Police…..and Officer Natasha Nesbitt will become the new School Resource Officer at the Middle School.

Officer Natasha Nesbitt
Officer Natasha Nesbitt  

Officer Zach Lauenstein serves as SRO at Beatrice High School, accompanied by one of the department’s K-9s……named Toro.
Price was recognized as the District 15 employee of the month, Monday night.


Principal Andrew Haake says Price has aided students, staff and overall security at the middle school.
"Last year, Officer Price coordinated with a parent and had them enter BMS wearing a Go-Pro to see how staff would handle visitor protocols. Officer Price used the footage to point out the things the staff did well and to point out the areas to improve upon. During the summer months, Officer Price worked with Beatrice Police on active shooter training in the school setting, and to update all classrooms and hallways with changes made to our standard response protocols. Beatrice Public Schools is in a safer place because of the employment of Officer Tim Price. We wish him safety and nothing but the best, as he departs BPS and returns to road patrol."


The Beatrice Police Department was also recognized as the school district’s Business Friend of the Month for their assistance in many areas of school district operations.


Superintendent Jason Alexander says in addition to the School Resource Officer positions, the department operates a reporting program students can utilize.
"One of the other facets that people may not know and Beatrice Police helps us manage is the P-3 campus reporting....an anonymous reporting system students can use to report bullying, abuse, drug abuse, alcoholism....they can report that anonymously."


Alexander says safety and security and threat assessment teams are aided by Beatrice Police, to help make for a safe environment.
"Special Olympics support. Throughout the past years, we've seen some great teams from Beatrice Police Department competing against the athletes participating in Special Olympics. It's another way the BPD does a great job in supporting our schools and community."


The department’s K9 program and Lunch with a Cop efforts also work within the school district. Alexander says the district has safe and secure schools because of its partnership with Beatrice Police.