Ben McMains recently began serving as a School Resource Officer for Fair Grove Schools during the 2023-2024 school year, after previously being an officer with the Fair Grove Police Department.
Prior to working in the Fair Grove School District, Officer McMains has been in law enforcement for 17 years, this being his 18th year. Officer McMains stated, “I spent most of my career in Laclede County as deputy, then as the Chief of Police in Conway, did a little time as a bailiff for Greene County.” Right before he began serving the Fair Grove School District, he served as an officer for the Fair Grove Police Department.
Officer McMains discusses how working as an officer on the road is different than working in a school. He states that, “Working as an officer on the road, when you get a call it’s usually not a good circumstance. At the school I get to be here and greet students at the front door in the morning, joke around with students in the hallways and just have fun.” He also brings up the point that a large factor in him coming to work for Fair Grove Schools is that he gets to be with his children more.
Officer McMains has two children that attend Fair Grove High School, Gabriel McMains (12) and Alice McMains (9). Now that Officer McMains is working in the same building as them, he gets to be closer to them as well as they get the same holidays, weekends, and other breaks off of school.
Gabriel McMains revealed his thoughts and feelings on his father working at the same high school that he attends. He states, “I feel like my dad working as the School Resource Officer will be great for the district. I think he will do great with kids while also keeping everyone safe. He adds a level of excitement and a boost of attitude in the halls.” Gabriel McMains is also excited for his father to be able to see him at all of his sports events, as Officer McMains attends the events in Fair Grove.
Natalie Palomo, the band teacher at Fair Grove Schools, also explained her thoughts and feelings toward Officer McMains coming into the school district. “I appreciate how eager he is to connect to the students and staff, and be a member of our team. It seems like he’s invested in helping everyone in whatever ways he can. I think he adds a signal of safety and friendliness. Kids seem to like him, and he’s been very present at a lot of school events already!”
Officer McMains is looking forward to seeing how his relationships with the people who attend and work at Fair Grove improve. His main priorities and responsibilities are nearly the same, and that is to keep everyone on the campus safe, as well as be there for everybody, if they need to vent their frustrations no matter whether it is about school or something at home.
This upcoming school year is going to be full of many first experiences for Officer McMains and students alike. He is enjoying being able to get to know everyone, including students, teachers, and staff. He is hoping by the end of the year to gain everyone’s trust in knowing that he is there for them.
