School Resource Officers

The safety of children at school is an important national issue. According to the Indicators of School Crime and Safety 2000 published by the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice, students ages 12 through 18 were victims of more than 2.7 million crimes committed at schools in 1998. Although research continues to show that schools are relatively safe places for children, the subject of school safety continues to concern families, school administrators, and communities. The perception of imminent danger in the school environment has become commonplace in many communities, leaving parents, students, and school personnel with, at best a tenuous sense of security. The School Resource Officer (SRO) concept offers an approach to improve school security and alleviate community fears.

The Police Department has 3 School Resource Officers (SROs). Officer Brandon Heide is assigned to the Moorhead Elementary schools, Officer Jessica Horn is assigned to Horizon Middle School and Officer Andy Werk is assigned to the Moorhead High School. 

The SRO assignment is unique as the officer works as a liaison between the  department and the school district. This assignment requires the officer to be able to work with students of all ages, preschool to senior high, along with parents, teachers, school administrators, police officers and the community. SROs have to be able to advise the school in police matters and advise the  department in school matters. All three SROs want to provide the community with safe and friendly schools where students can come to learn and grow as future leaders of our community.

Moorhead Senior High School

Officer Andy Werk has been with the Moorhead Police Department since 2016.  Officer Werk attended Minnesota State University Moorhead receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology.  Office Werk served in the patrol division for five years.  During that time he was a Field Training Officer.  Currently he is a firearms instructor, a member of the department Honor Guard, and a Peer Assistance Response Team member.  In the summer, he works with the Summer Youth Program and the Change Starts with  YOUth camp as well as working patrol shifts.     

Call Officer Werk at 218.329.1263 or through the Police Department 218.299.5120

Horizon Middle School

Officer Jessica Horn has been with the Moorhead Police Department since 2017.  Officer Horn attended Minnesota State University Moorhead, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice.  Prior to becoming a SRO, Officer Horn worked in the patrol division for six years where she was also a Field Training Officer.  In the summer, she works with the Summer Youth Program and the Change Starts with YOUth camp as well as working patrol shifts.