Schools get new top safety officer — a city cop

The Philadelphia School District announced a new Chief Safety Officer Friday and said that the job will be held by an active Philadelphia Police Department employee.

Chief Inspector Myron Patterson, a 25-year veteran, will remain on police payroll. He will report to Superintendent Arlene Ackerman and to the department's Deputy Commissioner of Field Operations.

Patterson is "on loan" to the district from the police department, according to a spokesman.

The district's former head of the school safety, James B. Golden Jr., resigned earlier this week. Golden, who spent five years in the position, had a police background but was a district employee.

Ackerman consulted with Mayor Nutter and Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey before appointing Patterson, district officials said.

"Safety and security remain top priorities for me," Ackerman said in a statement. "We still have a long way to go to ensure every child, teacher and administrator is safe in every school every day. Chief Inspector Patterson will help us reach that goal."

Over the past two years, the number of reported violent incidents in city schools has dropped by 29 percent, according to the district.

Patterson is a Philadelphia native and graduate of Ben Franklin High School, Penn State and St. Joseph's University. He lives in the Mount Airy section of the city.

During his police career, he rose from patrol officer in the 35th district to chief inspector.

"I look forward to working with the superintendent, the school district police force, and with principals and other staff members," Patterson said in a statement. "Our focus will be to evaluate safety measures and district practices, recommend appropriate strategies, and allocate safety resources and personnel as effectively and efficiently as possible for the benefit of the children, teachers, parents and families."

He is paid $114,656.