Deputy Whitford set to become new D.A.R.E. officer this fall
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
Presque Isle County Sheriff?s Department deputy David Whitford will be taking over the county?s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) program in the fall. Whitford, who has been with the sheriff?s department since July 2007, will be taking D.A.R.E certification courses at the end of the month in Columbus, Ohio. He?ll be taking over for longtime D.A.R.E officer Joe Brewbaker, the longtime, enthusiastic voice of the program for many years, who has been handling the duties of undersheriff since the end of 2007.
Whitford takes over the post with a background in teaching young people. Early in his schooling days at Bowling Green University, Whitford sought an elementary teaching degree.
?I WAS BASICALLY going to school to work with kids,? said Whitford. He worked as a preschool teacher, while attending Bowling Green and when he moved to Ann Arbor. Eventually, Whitford?s career-course shifted and he went to the police academy at Washtenaw Community College. After graduation he was hired as a city officer in Adrian before the opportunity to come home to northern Michigan presented itself. His wife, Laura (Standen) grew up in Rogers City.
?Joe is going to take me through some of the classes in some of the local schools and show me the ropes
?Deputy Whitford will be a very nice addition to our D.A.R.E. program,? said sheriff Bob Paschke. ?I would also like to thank undersheriff Joe Brewbaker for all the time and effort that he has put into the program.?
The program is taught in all three public schools, as well as St. Ignatius Catholic School and St. John Lutheran School.