It would be difficult for a student to go through four years at CPHS without meeting the school’s resource officer Leslie Malerich.
Malerich has been working here since 2020 and has helped keep students safe while providing her services as a mentor.
“It’s not just myself, but it’s also officer Rob. We check the doors to make sure they’re secured, and we respond to anything concerning like if there’s students not getting along very well, or if there’s some suspicious activity,” Malerich said. “But the best part of the job, which we do quite a bit, is getting to be more of a mentor.”
Inspired by her military family and great uncle Malerich became a police officer.
“Growing up I had heard about my great uncle, who I never met. He was killed in the line of duty. He was a Louisiana State Trooper a long time ago, so long ago that he survived D Day,” Malerich said. “I come from a military family, and my mom, who’s a nurse, gave me that atmosphere of wanting to help and protect people. That’s huge for me as a school resource officer. Unfortunately, I personally have known somebody that was killed in a school shooting, so I do that in memory of her as well.”
With some students having negative stereotypes about police officers, Malerich works hard to build relationships with students.
“Sometimes students will come in their freshman year and they don’t even want to talk to me or anything, and then by the time senior year rolls around, I’m getting invited to their graduation parties,” Malerich said. “That’s a goal of mine. Always trying to get them to understand that we’re here for them and trying to protect them.”
Having been involved in softball since she was young, Malerich became an assistant coach for CPHS’ team, although she plans to take a step back this year due to injuries.
“From the time I started here until recently, I was an assistant coach with coach Angie Richwalski,” Malerich said. “All the girls have been so understanding. Being here, even though I’m not coaching, they know they can still come to me, talk to me, and ask me questions if they’re struggling.”
As the school’s resource officer Malerich has been able to help and protect students through all sorts of problems.
