(Photo credit: Sanford Police Department)
Sanford School Resource Officer Joseph Jourdain was recognized with the Community Action Award at the Sanford Police Department's Annual Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, October 1.
The Community Action Award is given to a member of the department who has made a significant impact on quality of life within the community by identifying and resolving problems.
Recipients demonstrate exemplary effort to address conditions that may lead to crime, show consistent dedication to improving quality of life for citizens affected by social problems, or assist in developing community-based programs.
Jourdain was nominated and selected for this honor by his fellow officers—a peer recognition that he says means more than any other type of award.
"I think the best award you can get is from your peers," Officer Jourdain shared. "When your fellow officers recognize you for something, that's pretty cool."
What makes Officer Jourdain's work especially impactful is his commitment to building connections between the school community and the Sanford Police Department. He works closely with Officer Chris Gosling, who serves at the high school and Margaret Chase Smith School, to ensure seamless communication about student safety both inside and outside of school.
With over 15 years in law enforcement and five serving Sanford schools since 2020, Officer Jourdain has built deep relationships with students and families—some students he's known since they were very young.
"Whatever's going on outside the community is going to come into the school. Whatever's going on inside of school is going to go outside the community," Officer Jourdain explained. He bridges that gap by maintaining open communication with patrol officers and school staff, allowing both teams to address issues before they escalate.
His approach focuses on building trust with students and families, encouraging the "See Something, Say Something" philosophy, and creating an environment where students feel comfortable reaching out—whether to report concerns or simply to talk through a difficult day.
"I tell the kids every day: I don't keep the school safe. You keep the school safe," Officer Jourdain said.