DeGrand works with W-F students
By Angie Landsverk
Heather DeGrand is the new school resource officer in the Weyauwega-Fremont School District.
She began her job duties there in November.
“I love working with the kids,” DeGrand said. “I 100 percent do it for the kids.”
She was hired as a part-time officer for the city of Weyauwega in March 2017.
“I’m still a Weyauwega Police Department employee,” she said.
The school district is covering about 75 percent of the position and the city the other 25 percent.
During the summer, she is being assigned back to city patrol.
DeGrand grew up in Winneconne and was in high school when she realized she wanted to be a police officer.
“I had met a Winneconne officer in high school who just took me under his wing,” she said.
One day, that officer asked DeGrand what she wanted to do with her life.
She had no idea.
The officer told her about the Oshkosh Police Explorers.
“I went on my own, and I fell in love with it,” DeGrand said of the program.
The program allows participants to explore law enforcement career opportunities.
DeGrand joined Oshkosh’s program in her sophomore or junior year of high school.
“You learn what law enforcement is about,” she said.
Students involved in the program are presented with scenarios.
The group also participates in competitions throughout the state with other explorer posts, and also does community service.
DeGrand is now one of the advisers for Oshkosh’s program.
“For me, I want to be able to help people the way the officer helped me,” she said. “He was a very big part of my life.”
Her experiences in the program resulted in her decision to study criminal justice at Fox Valley Technical College, following her graduation from Winneconne High School.
Degrand graduated with an associate degree in criminal justice and became certifiable in law enforcement.
She also has certificates in child abuse investigation and cyber crime.
Prior to joining Weyauwega’s police department, she worked security.
As W-F’s school resource officer, DeGrand is the first line of defense in the schools and also an advocate for the students.
“If something is going on in their life – law enforcement related – they can feel comfortable. I’m more down on their level,” she said.
DeGrand blends in with the students, often wearing WF apparel.
“I think it helps being a younger officer. The students can relate to me. I was just in high school five years ago,” she said. “I was doing what they’re doing. I think the students like that aspect.”
Known as “Officer Heather,” DeGrand wants students to not be afraid of police officers.
During the past year, Weyauwega’s officers hosted various community events to build relationships with the residents.
Officers sponsored a holiday light show and food drive again this year, and after hosting movie nights at City Hall, teamed up with the owner of Wega Drive-In to host a few there last summer.
The school year finds DeGrand covering all the W-F schools, as well as the three parochial schools within the district.
“Obviously, within the city of Weyauwega, I will handle truancy issues and Juuling. I will also help if there are issues with a student and assistance is needed,” she said.
She handles law enforcement issues as they come up during the day.
DeGrand also plans to visit Fremont Elementary, St. Peter Lutheran School, Christ Lutheran School and St. John’s Lutheran School and have lunch with the students.
At W-F High School, she is visible during pass times and heads to the commons area when the students are eating lunch.
“From a parent aspect, they can feel comfortable knowing there is an officer here. I can get everyone where they need to be,” DeGrand said.
If she leaves Weyauwega’s campus to visit another school, she lets the police department know so another officer is available.
Her job duties include attending extracurricular events.
DeGrand looks forward to getting to know the students, particularly the younger ones.
“As they get older, I will know who they’re hanging out, what’s going on,” she said.
When students feel something is not right with a peer, they will be able to turn to her and ask her to look into the situation.
This school year, she hopes to get into the classrooms and educate students about various topics.
“I’m looking at getting more involved working with them and teachers,” she said.
DeGrand already received one request from a teacher to talk to her class about drugs.
Outside of work, she loves hanging out with her niece and nephew.
In the summer, enjoys being outdoors.
As for the winter, DeGrand says, “I’m fine if I’m bundled up, but it’s not my favorite.”
She is also a newlywed.
DeGrand and her husband Michael were married on Oct. 26.
He is in the National Guard and heading to Afghanistan soon.
DeGrand also has two cats.
She describes Yukon as a “big, huge, white furball” and said Felix is a gray tabby with a bit of white.
DeGrand said if parents have concerns about their children, they are welcome to visit her at the high school.
She likes her new role in the district.
“I love it,” she said. “It’s a blast.”