Berkeley County School District and Westview Elementary are excited to recognize Officer Keisha Baldwin as the district’s 2023-2024 School Resource Officer (SRO) of the Year.
Baldwin has worked for Goose Creek Police Department for five years and just completed her first year as an SRO at Westview Elementary. She was surprised on Thursday with the recognition by Tim Knight, BCSD Director of Security and Emergency Management, at Berkeley High during BCSD’s annual SRO summer training, a time when all the district SROs gather for hands-on training and preparation for the upcoming school year.
Knight spoke very highly of Baldwin's ongoing efforts to serve Westview Elementary.
“She is a forward thinking, out of the box SRO who constantly tries to better herself and those in her school environment,” Knight said. “Her passion for her students is evident in her ability to related to every student from all walks of life. She is a shining example of what every SRO should strive to become.”
Baldwin said she that came to Westview Elementary wanting to make a positive difference on the students.
“I show up to work just to make the kids smile,” she said, adding, “I wanted them to get to know me. I wanted them to see how I can make a difference…I wanted them to feel comfortable coming to me – that’s my main goal being an SRO.”
Baldwin was recommended for the recognition with a letter submitted by Lt. David Coffey, Capt. Tom Hill and Chief LJ Roscoe from the Goose Creek Police Department. In the letter, officials described Baldwin as an exceptional officer who builds relationships and has a passion for working with children. She is credited with joining Westview Elementary and immediately setting out to identify safety concerns at the school and build a comprehensive safety plan in the event of emergencies.
One particular accomplishment noted was Baldwin’s efforts in establishing a student Safety Patrol at the school. The group, now called the Whale Patrol, is geared toward not only finding students excelling in school, but finding students who are struggling with behavior and/or academic issues and helping them turn things around. Baldwin’s vision for the program is to encourage students to take pride in their school and their academics, and subsequently be the best versions of themselves.
In her own letter to the Goose Creek Police Department, Westview Elementary Principal Erika Wyatt wrote that Baldwin has a made profound impact on the safety and security of the school.
“We are fortunate to have Officer Baldwin on our team at Westview,” Wyatt wrote. “She takes great pride in her role, and her efforts have not gone unnoticed.”
Wyatt surprised Baldwin at her recognition with a bouquet of flowers and a team of Westview Elementary staff in tow. Wyatt further praised all SROs for their ongoing support in BCSD schools.
“You guys make a positive difference every day – Keisha is an example,” Wyatt told the room. “She’s gone above and beyond and she’s more than our SRO, she is part of our family.”
