PELLA — There will be a new School Resource Officer serving the Pella community this fall.

The Pella Police Department, in collaboration with Pella Community Schools and Pella Christian Schools, introduced Officer Mitch Monarchino as the new School Resource Officer (SRO) for Fall 2023. Officer Monarchino is a Central College graduate and had previously worked in IT for the Pella Community School District for ten years. He also served with the Des Moines Police Department for over a year before joining the Pella Police Department.

In a news release, the department said, “Officer Monarchino’s full-time presence in Pella’s schools offers a unique opportunity to establish positive relationships with students, parents, and faculty. The SRO role aligns with the department’s dedication to community policing, school safety, and fostering positive relationships throughout the city. We would like to express our gratitude to the Pella Community School District and Pella Christian Schools for their partnership in the School Resource Officer program.”