Hooksett School Resource officer Jason Defina has been restored to full-time duty in the schools, following public outcry against the shifting of his duties to street patrols.

At the Hooksett Police Commission meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, Police Chief Stephen Agrafiotis informed the commission of the change.

Following last week’s story on the school resource officer in this newspaper, along with letters to the editor, Agrafiotis talked to School Board Chairman Maura Ouellette about incidents with drugs, guns and knives in the school he was unaware of. “My concern is if there are these issues going on, why doesn’t the PD know about it?” said Agrafiotis. “Parents aren’t telling us.”

Ouellette said it was a “game of semantics,” that the department is well aware of problems with drugs and weapons at the schools.

Unable to get confirmation from his officers about such incidents, Agrafiotis said he would err on the side of caution and reinstate the school resource officer.

“The move comes with a cost, though,” said the chief. He outlined the following results of moving Defina back to the schools:
• Overtime costs as other officers fill in on the streets.
• Unhappy employees as schedules change during holidays.
• Cuts generally in coverage of the town, particularly in the detective area, as they fill in on street patrols.

“I’m thrilled,” said Ouellette. “This is in the best interest of the school district and the town as a whole.”