School Resource Officer Program
In cooperation with the Crete Public Schools, the City of Crete reestablished the School Resource Officer (SRO) program through a 2013 COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) Hiring Program Award. Through this partnership, the school and city demonstrate their commitment to the future of our city and the lives of Crete’s children. (Return to Crete Police Department Main Page)
While in session, the schools hold a significant part of the community’s overall population; it might be argued, the most valued part. Assigning an experienced police officer to join the established school team has enhanced the delivery of vital educational and support services.
The SRO models professional behavior that promotes an air of mutual confidence, respect and trust with school officials to enhance school safety and security. However, it is understood that neither this program nor the presence of police officers in our schools guarantees safety and security.
In late 2020, recognizing the continued success of the SRO program and their long-standing partnership, the school and city created a new agreement.
School Resource Officer Noah Zach
Officer Noah Zach joined the Crete Police Department in April 2023 and was sworn in during a City Council meeting in September after completing academy training at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center.
He completed certification through the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) and began serving as the School Resource Officer in 2025. Contact email: noah.zach@creteschools.org
He grew up in Humphrey, graduating from Humphrey St. Francis, before serving in the United States Marine Corps.
Zach is a certified strength and conditioning coach through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and coached a team of Special Olympics power-lifting athletes in Columbus from 2018-2019. He has also served as a strength coach for Lincoln Lutheran High School.
Zach received the Crete Police Department’s Life Saving Medal in March 2024 for his actions to rescue an individual in distress during a call earlier that year.
Lt. Dawn Jonas joined the Crete Police Department in 2003 and served as the SRO since January 2014. She began overseeing the SRO program within the Crete Police Department as part of her responsibilities upon a promotion to Lieutenant in February 2025.
Jonas is a native of Hammond, Ind. and graduated from George Rogers Clark High School. She served honorably in the United States Marine Corps from 1988 to 1991.
Jonas is a member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals – Great Plains Chapter, serves on the Nebraska Human Trafficking Task Force and on multiple Crete Public School committees designed to promote school safety. Jonas has also served as a Field Training Officer (FTO) and Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) instructor.
Jonas was honored by the American Legion as the 2016 Nebraska and Midwest Region Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. She was further recognized by the American Legion as the National runner-up. View media coverage of Crete's SRO Program.
Jonas manages the department training curriculum and traffic grant program. She also leads Operation Under the Tree, an annual gift program during the holidays, for which she received the department’s Meritorious Service Medal in March 2024. She received the department’s Medal of Honor in March 2025 for her actions during a neighborhood shooting in summer 2024.
Jonas may be followed on Twitter: @SROJonasCPD
Car Seat Safety
The Crete Police Department, in the interests of public safety, takes traffic safety very seriously. Recent statistics from SafeKids.org states that at any given time in Nebraska, 78% of car seats are installed incorrectly or being misused based on manufacturer’s directions and state law.
Officer Zach is a Certified Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and said the manufacturer’s instructions on the use of child safety seats are incredibly important and based on strict crash test information.
Crete residents who would like to have their child safety seats checked for proper installation may schedule a time with him by calling the police station’s non-emergency line, 402.826.4311, or emailing him at noah.zach@crete.ne.gov, or his Crete schools email above.
Run, Hide, Fight
Lt. Jonas provides educational presentations describing individual actions that may be taken during active shooter events. The accompanying video links provide a glimpse into the run/hide/fight methodology. (Video: English or Spanish)
Local organizations may request a presentation by contacting the Police Department at 402-826-6422.
