Jon Berninger

For one police officer with the gift of talking to folks, the transition from patrol officer to SRO was a natural one.

Jon Berninger is a School Resource Officer in Ottawa. Most importantly, after eight years on patrol, he is and will continue to be a helpful presence in the lives of students and the community. He transitioned from patrol officer to SRO, but Berninger emphasizes that patrol work taught him well. As to his reasons for the change, Jon notes, “It’s not because I didn’t like patrol anymore, but I didn’t want to get to the point where I became complacent.” He decided it was time for a change.

He began his new role in April of last year. Given that he came on at the end of a school year, and D.A.R.E. was in full swing, he had to acclimate quickly. That’s one of his skills, though: the ability to adapt and read a room. He took over in week seven of the school year, and the transition was as smooth as it could possibly be. Jon has another gift, the gift of being a people person, the gift of knowing how to talk to folks. “The way I talked to people was honestly my biggest weapon.” Berninger recognizes that words are forces as well, and that words must be used responsibly. It’s good to know that officers like Jon are in the world, wielding their words (and power) for the betterment of those involved. There were steps along the way that prepared him to take on this position for the benefit of those around him.

Patrol honed Berninger’s skills and mindset over the course of years: “I honestly feel that patrol in general kind of prepares you. I can say, just in general, when you work the road, you can have a call that starts off as calm as can be and can flip just like that. So you kind of just become acclimated to changing very quickly.” He’s adapted to his new role, and he wants to be a force for good. Students grow up, and they’ll know him from school, see him out in the community, and a tremendous bond will form. That’s a win. And, Jon’s under no illusions that some have had unpleasant encounters with the police.

As to the potential for positive change, Jon talks directly and in a kind voice: “Maybe they have had some bad experiences. Maybe their parents have had some bad experiences. So I can’t change that. But I can change your perception today of how we interact. I just want to give them a different outlook of what we can do for [the students and community].” It’s the present that matters to Berninger, and what he can do in the present for those around him.

As to the students he sees around on a regular basis, Berninger would rather put them at ease than alarm them: “I want to remind them that just because you see me, that does not mean something bad is going to happen. I’m just here… maybe it’s to interact with you guys. Maybe it’s to talk to somebody, to let you know that we don’t only represent something catastrophic, right?” Jon himself graduated high school in 2010, and a bit later studied criminal justice at college. He was 18 or 19, as he says, when he decided to join the force. He is and is going to be a familiar face, one that is friendly, helpful, and appreciated. He and his wife have three kids in the community, and while they both have their hands full, they’re also busy making lives better outside of their home. Jon Berninger is a people person and the first police officer in his family. When you see him and get to know him, you’ll recognize him as a friend, protector, and benign force in the world, the community, and at school.