SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS
What is a School Resource Officer (SRO)?
School Resource Officers (SRO) are certified sworn law enforcement officers responsible for the safety, crime prevention, and a resource to both students and staff. SROs are employed by the Police Department but are exclusively integrated into the JC School system working closely with school administrators to create a safer environment. An SRO is assigned to each of the district's three school buildings.
SRO Duties and Responsibilities
The SRO has a diverse role within the school and has many duties and responsibilities. The SRO works to improve safety and protection for students and staff while also serving as a resource, mentor, and educator. The SRO does not serve as a disciplinary role, but is available to quickly respond in the event that a situation develops that requires law-enforcement or to aide a victim of a crime.
The benefits of an SRO go beyond just safety and protection. The SRO also:
- works daily to build trust and positive relationships with students; and
- helps to create and maintain a positive school environment; and
- serves as a resource to both students and staff; and
- is available to all students and staff for private discussions or to participate in classroom discussions, answering questions about law enforcement and teaching about experiences; and
- serves on the JC Connects Team helping students who may be struggling with school or personal issues, giving them guidance and providing them with assistance in skill development and goal achievement
Officer Lou Cioci | High School SRO
Officer Lou Cioci was assigned as the SRO for the JC High School during the 2019-2020 school year. He has been a police officer since 1996 and has worked for the JCPD serving the Johnson City community since 2000. During that time, Officer Cioci responded to thousands of calls for service, helped countless people in need, effected hundreds of arrests, and assisted just as many victims to improve the safety and quality of life for the residents and visitors of Johnson City. Officer Cioci also served 18 years on the SWAT team which provided him with advanced tactical training and added experience with critical incidents. Now, SRO Cioci is utilizing the more than two decades of training and experience to serve the students and staff of the JC High School.
Officer Cioci is most notably known for the heroic and meritorious actions he demonstrated during the tragic events that unfolded on March 31, 2014 when JCPD Patrolman David Smith was shot and killed in the line-of-duty. The two patrolmen had responded to a disturbance call near Wilson Hospital. As Patrolman Cioci arrived on the scene of the incident, he bore witness to the tragic end result of a fatal attack on Patrolman Smith who had arrived first. Patrolman Cioci quickly engaged the armed suspect who began firing at Ptl. Cioci. Ptl. Cioci took a position of cover, waited for innocent bystanders to move to safety before he returned fire, striking the suspect multiple times. As Ptl. Cioci approached the suspect to take him into custody, the suspect attacked Ptl. Cioci and tried to disarm him. Ptl. Cioci found himself in a fight for his own life, but was successfully able to stop the threat and place the suspect into custody. During this incident, Patrolman Cioci demonstrated extraordinary bravery and unselfish heroism, and performed an act of bravery displaying an an extreme amount of courage while knowingly facing imminent life-threatening danger.
Patrolman Lou Cioci was honored with the following awards for his actions:
- Congressional Medal of Valor, awarded by President Obama at The White House
- NYS Police Officer of the Year, awarded by Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul
- JCPD Medal of Valor
Officer TJ Serkiz | Middle School SRO
SRO William "TJ" Serkiz was assigned to the joint Elementary/Middle School building at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year. In 2025, an additional SRO was assigned to the Elementary School to allow Officer Serkiz to dedicate all of his time to the Middle School. Officer Serkiz has been a police officer since 2003 and previously served with the Vestal Police Department. During his career with Vestal PD, Officer Serkiz served on the SWAT team for over 12 years and he also served as an SRO in the Vestal School District. Prior to his law enforcement career, he served in the United Stated Army infantry. Outside of his profession, Officer Serkiz has been coaching football, wrestling, and lacrosse at Maine-Endwell since 2015.
Officer DJ Pavelski | Elementary School SRO
SRO Dennis "DJ" Pavelski joined the JCPD and was assigned to the Elementary School during the 2024-2025 school year. DJ came to us with a wealth of experience. Following his service with the United States Marine Corps., he joined the Binghamton Police Department in 2006 where he held multiple leadership roles that included Metro SWAT Commander, hostage negotiation commander, lead firearms instructor, sergeant of the warrant division, and task force officer with the U.S. Marshal Fugitive Division.
In early 2025, DJ retired from the Binghamton Police Department as a Sergeant with nearly 20 years of service.
DJ teamed up with our excellent team of SROs, including Officer TJ Serkiz at the middle school and Officer Lou Cioci at the high school. Together, they will work hard to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all the students and staff.