Finding the fine line between being an enforcer, and handling situations with tact and care, is exactly where Purcell’s School Resource Officer finds himself.

Daniel Fumi is coming up on his third year anniversary with the Purcell Police Department, but is still getting settled into the role as Purcell SRO.

He started the new position January 6 and says it will take time to develop the newest Purcell Police Department into a mature department.

From all indications Fumi is doing a tremendous job mixing his time between the four Purcell School buildings, elementary, intermediate, junior high and high school.

He’s getting high praise from Purcell Assistant Chief of Police James Bolling, Purcell Superintendent Dr. Sheli McAdoo and from building principals.

“It’s going really well,” Bolling told The Purcell Register. Dr. McAdoo gave Fumi similar praise.

“We are excited to partner with the Purcell Police Department in this initiative, McAdoo said.

“Officer Fumi’s presence will strengthen the connection between our school and law enforcement, promoting a collaborative approach to safety, she continued.

“Officer Fumi’s role extends beyond security. He will also serve as a mentor and resource for our students, providing guidance and support. We are confident he will be a positive role model,” McAdoo concluded.

“My goal is to hit every school building at least once a day,” Fumi said. “Counseling with troubled  students is where I find the most personal contact.

“The officer must have the ability to have that conversation with the student and handle it with tact and care. Those students need to see how their actions can lead to a more difficult life. That’s the most fulfilling thing for me, building relationships with students.”

Bolling said he and Chief Bobby Elmore have been working to get a SRO at Purcell for years and they are glad to see it come to fruition.

Fumi was born in California but later moved to Oklahoma. He graduated from Claremore High School and The University of Oklahoma before going to the police academy.

“He was highly recommended to us by the director,” Bolling said. “We’ve had great feedback from parents of students. A lot of them have come forward. It’s been successful so far.”

Fumi is not only building relationships with students but with faculty and administrators as well.

Still, it’s challenge to steer students in the right direction.

“I’ve seen kids deal with fringe paths of life,” Fumi said. “I’ve seen the consequences of juveniles when they turn 18 and not having turned their life around.

“You have to know when to press and when to give them space using a delicate and tactful approach.”

Fumi has the experience of being on the streets patrolling and seeing the dark side of society. He wants to keep kids on the straight and narrow.

Both Fumi and Bolling said the forerunning to the success currently underway was all set up due to the work of Josh Van Oort, who brought the D.A.R.E. program in Purcell to new heights.

Van Oort’s’ D.A.R.E. program has been a standout program, even having Van Oort named as  the Oklahoma D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year.

“He laid the groundwork where the school and police work together and I think our department being so accessible to the school was one reason it took so long to get an SRO on the ground,” Fumi said.

Purcell was the last school in McClain County to get an SRO on the job.

“Funding is difficult,” Bolling confirmed.

But, he said they are going to try to build on the program and build it to someday having two officers, so one can stay in the junior high and high school area and one could stay in the area of the elementary school and intermediate school.