Addison Trail welcomes new School Resource Officer

A new School Resource Officer (SRO) is joining the team at Addison Trail – but he’s a familiar face to the community.

Marcus Rivera (pictured above) will succeed Larry Biles as the SRO, who has been in that role since 2019. Rivera might be new to Addison Trail, but he has been with the Addison Police Department for 14 years and serves as a detective.

Growing up, Rivera saw firsthand the positive impact his father had on the lives of students as an eighth-grade teacher, and his wife also is in the classroom as a sixth-grade teacher.

“I often express how proud I am of the work my father and wife do,” Rivera said. “Now I have the opportunity to do the same with our students at Addison Trail as the SRO.”

Rivera has been shadowing Biles and also completed a weeklong training to ensure he’s successful as Addison Trail’s SRO. He said he looks forward to working with the students, staff and community in his new position.

“When the 2021-22 school year begins, I want to show our students that behind the vest and badge is a person who can relate to them,” Rivera said. “My goal is for them to realize I am approachable. I hope the rapport that is built between the students and I will extend to my fellow officers as well, as I want to build a positive relationship between the police and our students.”

District 88 Superintendent Dr. Jean Barbanente said Addison Trail is pleased to welcome Rivera, and she knows he will continue the excellent work Biles and previous SROs have established.

“Our No. 1 priority is the safety and security of our students and staff, and the School Resource Officer position is a way for us to ensure the well-being of everyone in our building,” Barbanente said. “We look forward to working with Rivera and continuing our tremendous partnership with the Addison Police Department.”

Although Rivera’s job is to enforce the law and school policies, he knows the role encompasses so much more, and he is thrilled to help develop a culture of trust and understanding.

“I am excited to begin this new chapter in my career,” Rivera said. “I hope to be an asset to the school staff, and I hope to be a friendly face and a kind ear to our students. I want to thank the school and district administration for trusting me with this new assignment. To the students, just know that I have your best interest at heart, and I can’t wait to see you in the fall. Go, Blazers.”

To contact Rivera, e-mail mrivera@dupage88.net.