Easthampton nixes police officer in schools Easthampton High School GAZETTE FILE PHOTO Published: 6/9/2021 7:28:14 AM EASTHAMPTON — After years of contention, a police officer will no longer be present in the city’s public schools. The city will redirect its school resource officer positions to focus on community-based policing, according to Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle. The officers will still work with juveniles, but will not be based in the district’s schools. “The biggest thing I think people will notice is there’s not a police officer assigned within our schools who might be walking the halls or talking to students in the cafeteria or during recess,” LaChapelle said.