As a School Resource Officer, he’s responsible for keeping students safe in our schools. But Portage Public Safety Officer Henry Kite is so much more to our PPS community.
He counseled students, guided parents and assisted administrators. He stepped up for students in need and helped his community rebuild after a tornado tore through our city.
As he prepares to leave his post at the end of the school year, Kite reflected on his five years as an SRO with pride.
Unlike police who often only interact with people after a crime is committed, Kite spends his time immersed in students’ lives and can see he’s making a change.
“That’s the motivation behind this job – you can change behavior,” he said. “There’s this moment where I see the lightbulb go off in their eyes and I know I’m reaching that student – I’m making a difference.”
A focus on relationships with students, families and staff was what made him successful in the role. He credits that foundation for his ability to help at-risk students who are facing an uncertain future.
Whether it’s keeping them out of trouble or it’s picking them up and giving them a ride to school when they would otherwise be absent – Kite can be the push students need to get over the finish line.
“Helping those students to graduation has been my proudest accomplishment,” Kite said.
His own life experiences also helped him in his role as an SRO. As someone who endured some difficult childhood experiences, Kite understands what students are going through.
He was born in Kalamazoo and lived most of his life in the area. He graduated from Community High School after struggling in other area schools.
“I don’t try to hide my own troubles growing up, and I think the kids respect that,” Kite said.
Now, more than a decade into his career as a police officer and a father of two grown children, Kite can also relate to the parents experiencing the growing pains of raising teenagers.
His first year on the job was 2020 when schools were closed for the safety of the community. He spent his days performing welfare checks on students absent from virtual school, and he saw how for some students, home wasn’t a safe place to be.
“For some kids, school is a sanctuary, and school over Zoom gave us a literal lens into some of the challenging environments our students faced.”
It was the beginning of his heartfelt connection to our PPS students.
So, three years later, when the call came that there was an active shooter at Portage Northern High School – a report quickly determined to be false – Kite made the trip uptown in less than three minutes.
“This job is a lot more personal as an SRO,” he said of the emotions he experienced while flying up Westnedge Avenue toward his worst nightmare as a school officer. “These are our kids. SRO Burleson and I say that all the time – my kids, your kids – You get close to these students.”
The partnership between the District and the Portage Department of Public Safety says a SRO will work at most four years before the role is given to a different officer. But Kite says this job requires the time investment to gain students’ trust.
“These can be guarded kids,” he said. “They don’t trust just anyone.”
As a familiar face to our students, Kite can serve as a bridge between community police officers and school leaders. When police respond to traumatic incidents like domestic violence, the SRO can ensure any students impacted are connected with appropriate support the following morning.
And, educators know that these events greatly impact a student’s ability to learn inside the classroom. The SRO is another caring adult who understands that coming to school hungry or tired will affect how a student behaves in the classroom.
The job is so much more than walking the halls and preventing violence. It’s everything from navigating what’s best for students enduring custody battles, ensuring student safety at school and at home, advising parents on how to best handle tough situations and more.
Portage Central High School Principal Eric Alburtus said we have been blessed for more than 25 years to have police officers stationed in our schools.
"Henry Kite is among the very best: smart, hard working, determined. And at least as important, he connects so well with students, earning trust for him and for all police officers because of his thoughtful work," Alburtus said.
We are grateful for the time that Kite spent with our students and wish him all the best as he returns to patrol in Portage.