PRESS RELEASE
JULY 30, 2025
Crane District Welcomes New School Resource Officer
Yuma, AZ – The Crane Elementary School District is delighted to welcome Officer April Angulo to her new position as School Resource Officer (SRO) at Centennial Middle School. The funding for this position was made possible through the Arizona Department of Education’s School Safety Program mini-grant. We’re grateful for the collaboration of the Yuma Police Department as their partnership helped a great deal in procuring the grant.
Prior to being awarded, Centennial Middle School shared a School Resource Officer with Crane Middle School. Thanks to this grant, both middle schools now have a designated, full-time, on-site officer.
Centennial Middle School principal, Laura Hurt, is looking forward to having a full-time mentor and role-model for her students. “School safety and security are of the utmost importance and this position will provide a direct link between Centennial and law enforcement, allowing for faster responses to situations that may arise.”
Likewise, School Services Sergeant Cesar Pino at YPD is aware of the positive impact that a School Resource Officer can have on a school system. “This opportunity not only strengthens campus safety, but also builds on the already strong relationship between law enforcement, students, and school staff, continuing our shared commitment to a safe and supportive school environment.”
Officer Angulo has been with the Yuma Police Department for 4 years. Through this grant, she’ll receive specialized training to help build rapport and strengthen safety protocols at her new school. “I’m excited to start this new chapter in my career. Being a School Resource Officer to me means that I get to serve as a positive role model, protector, and mentor during one of the most formative stages in a young person’s life. It means more to me than just enforcing laws. It means building trust with students, promoting safety, and helping them navigate the challenges of adolescence. My goal is to help students make good choices, resolve conflicts peacefully, and grow into respectful members of the community.” Officer Angulo hopes to accomplish these goals through education, guidance, and daily interactions with students and staff.
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