Arrowhead High School got a new resource officer this 2023-2024 school year: Officer Tyler Dunker.
Dunker was originally filling in for past School Resource Officer Deputy Matthew Vanderboom and was only supposed to be at Arrowhead for 12 weeks. Vanderboom decided during his paternity leave that he wanted to resign from the position. Because of this, Dunker interviewed, and started working at Arrowhead Union High School full time.
Dunker says, “I had zero intention of doing this job a while ago. When I was filling in for Vanderboom, I just fell in love with it. I like helping kids out.”
He also says he loves the job so much because of the connections he makes with kids. Dunker has his own 17-year-old at home, so being a school police officer helps him understand his own son deeper, he says.
Dunker says, “Working with students with so many different personalities” is also one of the best parts of being an officer here.
Dunker’s duties here are working as security, he also works with the school district, and worked with the block scheduling for 2024-2025 school year by presenting ideas in order to direct traffic and make it more light.
During the day he also is working out truancy, and sometimes he fills in classes as a substitute teacher.
Dunker also helps out at the football games and school dances to help make sure that Arrowhead Union High school is safe and secure.
Quick 50 is a program that is a tip system to help ensure that the school is safe. It is run through the Wisconsin Department of Justice and several other schools in the state. The program gives students rewards for telling the police about theft, vaping, and property damage. The students who report issues to Dunker remain anonymous.
Dunker also will give out parking tickets—but only when teachers or FSO students complain about having no designated spots to park. Dunker says he gave out about 800 tickets this year.
He says, “I really do not enjoy giving out parking tickets and it’s really the last thing that I would want to do to someone.”
If any Arrowhead student or staff gets a parking ticket, they are around $20. Citations are given for parking in a fire lane and to students parking in the faculty lot, or a visitor spot, sidewalk/roadway, grass, multiple spaces, auto lot without pass, handicap parking, unmarked spaces, and underplaying student permit. If a parking ticket is not paid within 45 days, an additional school parking violation fee ($100) will be issued. Repeat offenders may also receive a parking violation fee of $100. On the date of violation, a student and guardian will be notified that the $100 violation fee will be added to the student’s Skyward account. Also any vehicle left on campus for more than 72 hours, unless there are extenuating circumstances, may be towed.
