New school resource officer settling in at WHS

WASILLA — Wasilla High has had a few school resource officers in the past. The one most recognized is Officer Jensen, who was part of the school for seven years and retired at the end of 2015. Now students recognize the uniform — but not the face — of Officer Mike Bonadurer.

Officer Bonadurer is the new resource officer for Wasilla High School, Wasilla Middle School, Burchell High School and Iditarod Elementary. Raised in Portland, Oregon, Bonadurer wanted to be a police officer since he was young. With no influence from family members being a part of law enforcement, Bonadurer proceeded in his dream to become a police officer all on his own.

Bonadurer moved to Alaska from Portland in 2008. His move prevented him from obtaining his degree in Criminal Justice. When he first moved to Alaska, instead of policing, the tall, muscular blond-haired officer first found work as a tour guide at Royal Celebrity Tours.

Bonadurer said being an Alaskan tour guide “was nice.”

“I was able to meet people throughout the world,” he said. “Even to this day I am still friends with some of the people.”

After the summer tourist season, Bonadurer started applying for the job of police officer in the City of Wasilla. The process demanded he go through many tests and background checks to make certain that he was the right person for the job. It wasn’t easy, but Bonadurer persisted.

With support from family at home — including his wife, and a 5-year old daughter — Bonadurer is now doing what he loves as school security and community policeman. Bonadurer has been part of the Wasilla Police Force for more than six years. He has worked jobs in patrol, night shifts, and in the investigative unit. Now working with students, Bonadurer hopes he makes at least a small difference in students’ lives.

Bonadurer loves working in schools, but learning so many names challenges him. He said he feels supported and welcomed in all the schools by both administration and students. Students in Wasilla welcome him with a smile and shake his hand as they pass in the hall. Others stop to share their stories and get to know each other.

The most surprising thing for the Oregonian about Wasilla is the support the police receive from the community. He feels the majority of the community supports ideas the police force has for protection in the Valley. Bonadurer thinks people who are against these ideas usually are lacking knowledge on what the police force’s ideas actually include.

Some projects, such as Mat-Su Youth Court and bicycle safety programs, have had support from the community and been put into action.

Current events in the Lower 48 centered around police brutality trickle down even to school security officers such as the young Bonadurer.

“Brutality is connected to accountability,” he said. “I think accountability is parallel in any sort of profession or any job that you have, and obviously given in my chosen career accountability is huge. I think officers need to be held accountable.”

In explaining the effect of this national problem on his career, he hopes that students hold him accountable for his actions and judge him not on others’ choices, but his own.

Bonadurer said he tries his best to give people knowledge and answer questions that everyone has about Wasilla and police. He thinks that if people have their questions answered and they are given the knowledge then people will make the right choice. They may be less likely to judge Wasilla’s police on the actions of other police forces.

“I feel comfortable talking to him,” junior Sarah Kinmon said. “I feel like he is accepting and very helpful. He will answer any questions I have and he is a fun guy to talk to.”

CORRECTION: This story has been corrected from its original print version, which misspelled officer Bonadurer's last name.

Alanna Christianson is a junior at Wasilla High School. This is her first year as a journalism student.