VW sheriff adding second DARE officer

Van Wert independent/submitted information

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach announced the appointment of Deputy Mike Biberstine as a new DARE officer, effective October 9.

Deputy Biberstine, only the second deputy with the Sheriff’s Office trained as a DARE instructor, will be working with Chief Deputy Keith Allen in the schools to present the DARE program.

The DARE program is given to elementary and middle school students in Crestview and Lincolnview School districts, as well as elementary students at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic School.

As part of his training, Deputy Biberstine is certified in K-4 visitation, elementary, and middle school curriculums. The DARE program is an internationally recognized model program created in 1983 by the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Unified School District.

“DARE provides students from kindergarten through high school with the skills necessary to recognize and resist pressures to experiment with drugs and to avoid gangs and violence,” said Sheriff Riggenbach. “DARE lessons emphasize self-esteem, decision-making, interpersonal communication skills, and consequences of drug abuse, conflict resolution, and positive alternatives to substance abuse.

Sheriff Riggenbach advised the most important facet of DARE is the use of specially trained law enforcement officers to deliver the DARE curriculum within the schools. Deputies are accepted as authorities on drug abuse, as they deal with drug abuse and its consequences on a daily basis.

In order to be certified to instruct DARE, a panel of law enforcement executives, DARE officers and school administrators first interviewed Deputy Biberstine. After the panel’s approval, the deputy completed 80 hours of intensive training provided by Ohio’s accredited DARE Training Center. The Law Enforcement Foundation, the only entity in Ohio authorized to do so, provides DARE training to deputies and officers.

Deputy Biberstine, who resides in Van Wert County, is a five-year veteran of the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, said he is excited about the DARE program and is eager to begin his new duties.