WARREN, Mich. – Warren Lincoln High School alumni DeAndre Tucker and Adnan Durrani have returned to their alma mater, but this time, they’re not students.
With nearly 40 years of combined law enforcement experience, the two Warren police officers now serve as school resource officers (SROs), guiding the next generation in the very halls they once walked.
“The old saying that the people are the police and the community is the police -- this is it,” Warren Police Lt. William Gajewski said.
Tucker, a 2009 graduate, and Durrani, from the class of 1993, are back at Lincoln High School to bring a sense of familiarity and mentorship to students.
Their shared history with the school allows them to connect in a way that makes a real difference. Both officers recall their own teenage years and use personal experiences to relate to students.
“We’re not always arresting bad guys,” Durrani said. “We’re here to help them, too.”
“If it’s something I might’ve done, I give them my own personal story and tell them, ‘This is small,’” Tucker said.
Their presence is making a tangible difference. Since Tucker and Durrani started in their roles, the district has seen a decrease in fights and disciplinary instances.
Van Dyke Public Schools Superintendent Piper Bognar credits the officers for their proactive approach.
“We’ve had them work on gun safety presentations with our families,” she said. “And if there is something that happens, they’re able to respond quickly because they’re right here.”
In an emergency at nearby McKinley or Carlson Elementary, their familiarity with the district allows them to respond within minutes, as well.
