Doyle said the department will hire a current school officer for the position, which will involve helping connect all at-risk students, not just Native ones, to resources.

We’re “trying to do some proactive work and maybe identifying some kids before they get to that crisis point” and we already “have kids coming to our officers all the time” for help, said Doyle, who worked as a school officer for seven years.

“Our goal is not to make an arrest or get the kids in trouble” but to connect them with treatment and resources, Doyle said when asked what would happen if students disclose that they are using drugs, drinking alcohol or engaging in some other kind of illegal behavior to cope with their suicidal feelings.

Doyle said that’s the policy not just for conversations about suicide but for any time a school officer learns about illegal behavior: to focus on helping the student with their underlying issues. Arrests are a “last resort,” he said.

Ecoffey said police officers play a role since they have more access to students’ family members and homes than counselors do and can help prevent criminal victimization. In extreme cases, he said, officers can bring students to inpatient centers if their guardians are refusing to help them.