Exemplifying positive and “out of the box” thinking in his role as a School Resource Officer, Officer Blake Ragocos was recently honored by the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i as Officer of the Month for February 2021.

As the only School Resource Officer in the Hāmākua District, Officer Ragocos is responsible for law-related counseling, education, and law enforcement working with school staff to create a safe environment. However, he takes this a step further by working with the Junior Police Officer program at a nearby elementary school, conducting safety presentations to kindergarten students at other schools, and making home visits to students with attendance and grade issues.

When Covid-19 prevented students from returning to class, Officer Ragocos created videos of safety skits. He also provided online lessons about drug abuse resistance education that were well received by students and teachers alike.

Every month the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i honors a police officer in East Hawaii as their officer of the month. Officers are nominated by their supervisors from the various police districts and a monthly winner is selected. Winners are normally honored at the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i’s monthly meeting, however, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, no meetings have been held since March 2020. Members of the Club recently met with Officer Ragocos on Thursday, April 22, 2021, at the Laupāhoehoe Police Station to present him with the award.

All officers selected for Officer of the Month are eligible to be selected as the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i’s Officer of the Year.