Salem Police Department GREAT

In September of 2007 the Salem Police Department assigned two officers to the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) Program. The program is funded by a federal grant successfully written and administered by Lt. Mary E. Butler, Administrative Aide.

The G.R.E.A.T. Program is a school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum. With prevention as its primary objective, the program is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership.

The goal of the G.R.E.A.T. program is to prevent youth crime, violence, and gang involvement while developing a positive relationship among law enforcement, families, and our young people to create safer communities.
G.R.E.A.T. has developed partnerships with nationally recognized organizations, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the National Association of Police Athletic Leagues. These partnerships encourage positive relationships among the community, parents, schools, and law enforcement officers.

G.R.E.A.T. lessons focus on providing life skills to students to help them avoid using delinquent behavior and violence to solve problems. The G.R.E.A.T. Program offers a continuum of components for students and their families.

The G.R.E.A.T. Program consists of four components: a 13-session middle school curriculum, an elementary school curriculum, a summer program, and families training.

Five regional training centers provide training to sworn law enforcement officers to teach the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum in elementary and middle schools across the country.

Officer Cindy Jerzylo is assigned full-time as the G.R.E.A.T. Officer Kevin Gillan is assigned part-time. The Officers bring a wide range of training and professional experience to the unit. Both Officers have worked in the traditional patrol and dispatch functions of the Police Department for several years before being assigned the Department's first G.R.E.A.T. Officers.

Officer Jeryzlo is a 20+ year veteran of the police department. Her experience includes several years in the Department's Special Operations Division as the Training Officer, as well as Community Oriented Policing, Bicycle Patrol, Crime Watch and Citizen's Advisory Programs. She is an active member of her church and supporter of many community organizations and projects.

Officer Gillan is a 10+ year veteran of the Department and decorated United States Marine Corps combat veteran. In 2003 Officer Gillan was activated and saw duty in Operation Enduring Freedom as well as Operation Iraqi Freedom. Officer Gillan is proudly responsible for the "Toys for Tots" campaign each year at the Police Department. Officer Gillan has completed courses and obtained certificates in many areas of computer science.