Sarasota County School Police Association, I.U.P.A. Local #6046 Member School Resource Officer Jarett Whipple received a letter and certificate from I.U.P.A. President Sam A. Cabral, commending him on his work in keeping our schools safe and in preventing a tragic event from occurring.

Sarasota County School Police Association, I.U.P.A. Local #6046 President Mary McCarrick along with Sarasota County Schools Police Department Chief of Police presented School Resource Officer Jarett Whipple with the letter and certificate from I.U.P.A. President Sam A. Cabral.

In his letter, President Cabral stated, “On December 9, while assigned to Oak Park School, you received intelligence that a student was in possession of a firearm on campus. You were able to identify, locate, and recover a Glock 43 with a loaded magazine from the student’s backpack, preventing a tragic event from occurring.”

The letter continued, “This is an example of the importance of the relationship you have built with the students you protect, that you have fostered over time as their School Resource Officer. It is due to the trust you have built with them that they told you about this weapon, so that you could intervene and safely recover it without harm. On behalf of the whole of the I.U.P.A., you have our thanks and recognition.”

Each week, the I.U.P.A. Briefing Room features a photo that exemplifies the valuable part of the community that our Law Enforcement Officers all across the U.S. are and their positive impact as well as their dedication, service, and sacrifice.

Submit your photos today to be considered for the photo of the week next week to alinaj@iupa.org.

Previous photos of the week have included: