CLEARFIELD – The Moshannon Valley School District’s new school police officer, Kent Bernier, was sworn in before Judge Fredric J. Ammerman on Wednesday.
Bernier retired Jan. 3 from the Pennsylvania State Police with the rank of lieutenant after 26 years with the state police.
Bernier enlisted in the state police in 1994, having served several roles including criminal investigator and district office commander of the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement in Altoona.
Bernier is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University. He will begin service in the school district on Jan. 13.
“I am excited about the next chapter in my career as a school district employee and Moshannon Valley’s school police officer,” stated Bernier.
The officer commented that building relationships with students, staff, families and the community, as well as keeping everyone safe are the primary focus areas.
“Moshannon Valley continues to make changes to improve the safety of our facility, those include physical improvements, our new law enforcement addition and mental health supports, because the safety of students and staff is our number one priority,” commented Superintendent Dr. John W. Zesiger.
Zesiger added, “We are certainly happy to welcome Officer Bernier to the district.”
Moshannon Valley received a Pennsylvania Department of Education Safe Schools Grant to aid in the creation of the police officer position.