OFFICER OMAR AYALA-CAMPOS, the new school resource officer for La Quinta High School and other GGUSD schools located in Westminster (GGUSD photo).

This week, Garden Grove Unified School District welcomed Westminster Police Officer Omar Ayala-Campos as the newest member of the district’s School Resource Officer team.  Officer Ayala is dedicated to serving all six GGUSD schools located in the City of Westminster including La Quinta High School, McGarvin Intermediate School and Anthony, Carrillo, Marshall and Post elementary schools.

Officer Ayala joins the district’s SRO team which currently consists of one sergeant and five specially-selected and trained full-time sworn officers from the Garden Grove Police Department.

While the majority of GGUSD schools are located in Garden Grove, the district also has four schools in Fountain Valley, six schools in Westminster, six schools in Santa Ana and one school in Stanton. The district has plans to add a school resource officer from the Fountain Valley and Santa Ana Police Departments as well.

“School safety is our highest priority,” said Board of Education Trustee Bob Harden. “The expertise of our school resource officers has been invaluable in assessing and managing safety concerns and we want to bring that same level of security to each and every GGUSD campus.”

Officer Ayala is a 15-year veteran who served in the United States Army before being hired by the Westminster Police Department. Prior to being assigned as a school resource officer, he worked in the patrol division as a field training officer. He also spent five years as a gang investigator where he developed expertise in this field. Officer Ayala also volunteers to help coach and mentor young adults at Bolsa Grande High School where he also graduated.

“We are especially grateful that Officer Ayala graduated in our school district and has a heart for our students, families and communities,” said Board of Education President Walter Muneton. “We know that he will build relationships with our students and be a safe place to turn for help.”

GGUSD is a K-12 district serving most of Garden Grove and parts of Anaheim, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, Stanton and Westminster.