A Bogalusa Police Department officer will now patrol the hallways of Bogalusa High School, after the Bogalusa City Council approved a contract between the city and the Bogalusa City Schools for a school resource officer.

The city council met Thursday night for its regular meeting, and unanimously approved the contract, which will begin immediately. Under the agreement, the BCS will reimburse the salary of the officer to the BPD.

Police Chief Kendall Bullen said that Officer Brandon Williams would be the school resource officer.

“Officer Williams is an officer I knew from day one,” Bullen said. “He was actually my first hire as police chief. It’s in his heart to help children. He has a desire to do things for kids and to help kids, and I see that every day in his regular duties.”

Williams will remain permanently at BHS, and will not work at any other schools under most normal circumstances, Bullen said. However, both the BPD and BCS are continuing to research grants and other methods that might allow for additional school resource officers at other schools.

“Of course, with our high school it also goes down to the seventh grade,” he said. “I think that’s the most important place to start.”

Williams began his new job as school resource officer at BHS on Friday.

The council typically meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, but the meeting was moved to Thursday due to a conflict with National Night Out against Crime events.