Jasper County Law Enforcement Professional of the Year: Kyle Lovan

Kyle Lovan has made such an impact on students at Berg Middle School and throughout the Newton school district that kids can’t bear to see him leave. One student created a PowerPoint presentation explaining why the school resource officer should stay at his post. Another student even formed a petition.

“There were posters around the school, and a bunch of kids signed it — ‘Keep Officer Lovan at Berg!’ I think there were close to 400 signatures,” Lovan said in an interview with Newton News. “I figured, well, if they went to all that trouble, I’ll stay at Berg. That was nice they thought highly of me.”

It is instances like these that show Lovan is not only a valued member of the community, but he is also a valued member of local law enforcement who is very clearly making a difference. Which is why Lovan has been named this year’s Jasper County Law Enforcement Professional of the Year.

Those who nominated Lovan said he is “a great example of an officer who continued to strive to be better throughout his career.” They described him as an “exemplary” police officer and school resource officer, and one that both the city and the Newton Community School District “are blessed to have.”

Lovan joined the Newton Police Department as a patrol officer in 2002. Fellow officers respect him for his consistency, dependability and his proactive approach to policing. He is also a very dedicated police officer. In his 23 years serving the community, Lovan prides himself in the fact he has rarely taken a sick day.

Four years ago, he applied to be the next school resource officer assigned to Berg Middle School. Ever since he has served students and staff diligently and built strong relationships between them and law enforcement. Without a doubt, Lovan believes these past four years have been his favorites as a police officer.

Why? Well, it could be because the role of school resource officer has given him opportunities to build positive engagement between law enforcement and kids.

Which is just a fancy way of saying Lovan gets to play games and organize fun activities for kids during the school day. Students love a chance to step away from the school work and compete in a corn hole tournament, for instance. Lovan has created a number of different programs that foster relationship building.

Perhaps his greatest program — or his favorite, at least — is Cops and Bobbers. Lovan schedules a day of fishing with select junior high school students. In the past, kids have enjoyed fishing and a picnic at the Izaak Walton League pond. Last year, kids went home with their own pole and tackle box.

Lovan’s latest venture is establishing an e-sports program at the high school. He is currently fundraising for the program, which he said is about half way to its funding goal. In addition to allowing students compete in video games, the program also opens up opportunities for scholarships.

When Lovan first decided he wanted to be a cop, he did not expect he would be creating an e-sports program and going fishing with middle schoolers. But he wouldn’t have it any other way. He became an officer to help others make better life choices and to make his community safer and to serve and protect it.

He does just that when connecting with youth and showing them a police officer is not someone to be scared of. Police officers can be approachable and easy to talk to. They can still be goofy but also be there for you. Whether it is a traffic stop or talking with students at Berg, Lovan strives for a positive experience.

“Showing them that a police officer is just like anybody else,” Lovan said. “…That’s why in school I want to show the kids that I’m not just a person in a uniform. That is why I build these positive relationships and get to know the kids and things like that, and I want to do that with the community, too.”