Even before becoming a full-time police officer, Makayla Gibson knew she wanted to be a school resource officer (SRO). She long wanted to work in policing, but as someone who loves being around kids and is passionate about being a strong role model, the SRO position seemed a natural fit.
Gibson achieved her dream in February when she was hired as the Whitehall District Schools SRO, replacing Travis Bolles, who'd occupied the position for over 20 years. Bolles is moving into Derek Sova's position at the Whitehall Police Department following Sova's retirement, and Gibson spent the last week of February acclimating to her new job with some help from Bolles.
"I think being a cop was always something I wanted to do, but having the love and passion for being a role model and being able to help kids in different ways, the SRO position aligned greatly with my passion for both being an officer and having a passion and love for kids," Gibson said.
Gibson, a Reeths-Puffer alum, has been on staff at the Whitehall department since September 2023, but she was a familiar face there long before, having interned while studying criminal justice at West Shore Community College and even participating in ride-alongs before that.
"She may only have been an officer a relatively short period of time, but we've known her for several years," police chief Brandon Mahoney said. "We've seen her mature as a person and as an officer."
Mahoney knows more than most what the SRO position can mean to a school district. He was the first to hold the position at Whitehall when it was instituted on a part-time basis in 1998. It's since become a full-time position.
"Having that relationship with the school has meant a lot to us and we feel the community has benefited over the years," Mahoney said. "We're excited to continue that relationship. I always tell people who ask about that position, we were the OGs. We were the first to create this position in this county.
"We've seen other schools or cities lose the position and rush to get it back, and we've been fortunate to maintain that position. I think the current administration, both here and at the school, want to continue to strengthen it."
When he took the job, Mahoney was in his 20s, just as Gibson is now. Her youth and enthusiasm made her a clear choice to take over once Bolles assumed Sova's responsibilities.
"She's younger than all of us and can make some of those connections," Mahoney said. "She's approachable, not just for the staff but the students as well. She's shown some initiative during her time on third shift, and having that approachability, but also that experience, will help. We're looking forward to her spending more time in the classroom."
Mahoney added that both he and Whitehall superintendent CJ Van Wieren were aligned on increasing the opportunities to get the SRO into the classroom with Gibson in the position. Gibson, too, feels it's very important to build relationships with kids so they don't view the SRO as someone who only appears when there's discipline to be meted out.
"My goal is to have as many positive interactions (as possible) with students that don't have to do with them doing something wrong," Gibson said. "I know there will be some opportunities in different classes that they're taking for me to give presentations, whether that's in health class or about vaping or different things like that."
Gibson's relative youth doesn't just help students relate to her more than they might relate to a more tenured officer. Because her high school days are in the more recent past, she can also use her fresher memories of that time to recognize the signs of a student who needs a hand.
"You start getting into social media things and mental health pieces and all of those things that seem to be more prevalent right now with our students, and Officer Gibson just went through those things," Van Wieren said. "She's not that far removed from high school. She's up to date on all of the social media platforms and things like that. I think that connection alone goes a long way when you're able to develop those relationships with kids and relate to them. When you have to have those tough conversations with either a kid or a parent, you have the experience to go with it."
Gibson feels she's grown professionally during her two-plus years on the force, especially in her communication skills, which will serve her well now that she will be around students on a regular basis. And while she's just a week in, she is confident she's where she is supposed to be.
"Being able to talk to people is going to be my biggest asset," Gibson said. "I think my being young, I can still be an authority figure and role model to these kids, but I'm still young enough to where I know how to work and navigate all these trends.
"I'm super excited. I can't wait to enjoy the next 25 years being the SRO at Whitehall. I think Travis was in it for 21 years, so I'm looking to top that number."
