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North Castle Police Officer Set For School Slot

ARMONK, N.Y. - Wesley Mojica, the North Castle police officer who assisted Frank Kolarik, the school resource officer, is in line to take over the position in February after Kolarik, who resigned in December, leaves the force.

Mojica has been on the North Castle force for over eight years after starting his police career in the Bronx. Prior to that he taught in New York City elementary schools.

Mojica said he'll continue to oversee the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, which is currently offered to fifth graders. "The fourth curriculum of the DARE program started this year is modeled after a middle school program called Keeping it Real," he said. "DARE is great for building relationships and we're adapting it to the times."

DARE is the primary elementary school program Mojica is involved in. At the H.C. Cirttenden Middle School, Mojica focuses on Internet use, an area where students may unwittingly commit crimes. "A lot of what happens on the Internet is criminal even if the intention isn't there," he said. "Kids can commit aggravated harassment and cyberbullying that can lead to teen suicides. We try to tackle that as we put on presentations for the students.'

At the high school level, Mojica participates in a science/tech block called crime scene investigation where he presents material relating to crime scenes and police investigations.

He said his role as a school resource officer is "to build relationships between the schools and police department as well as the kids."

Jackie Taylor, superintendent of the Byram Hills School District, said, "We are very happy that the town of North Castle continues to support a resource officer and we look forward to our partnership with Wesley as we work to maintain safe, drug-free schools."

Evan Powderley, principal at H.C. Crittenden Middle School, said Mojica is important in conducting cyberbullying workshops and speaking with students on a variety of issues. "He speaks with students in a non-threatening way, which enhances the positive feeling students have about the police."

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