This vital role, funded by the Woodland City Council, is a significant step to enhance safety and build stronger connections between our schools, law enforcement, and the community
WOODLAND – The Woodland School District is thrilled to welcome Officer Roberto Cuneta as its first School Resource Officer (SRO). This vital role, funded by the Woodland City Council, is a significant step to enhance safety and build stronger connections between our schools, law enforcement, and the community.
Chief of Police Robert Gibbs collaborated closely with Mayor Todd Dinehart and Superintendent Asha Riley to develop the rigorous hiring process for this position.
Officer Cuneta brings six years of law enforcement experience to the role, having previously served in Ridgefield and worked with Native American tribes. He is also actively involved in the Police Activities League. He joined the Woodland Police Department in January 2025, motivated specifically by his interest in the SRO opportunity. As a father of a 7-year-old son and the eldest of five children, Officer Cuneta is personally invested in building a positive connection between students and the Police Department. He will be a regular, positive presence across all schools in the district, focusing on building trust and serving as a key liaison.
What is a school resource officer (SRO)?
A school resource officer is a certified law enforcement officer assigned to work directly within a school setting. The SRO’s mission is multifaceted:
- To help ensure safety and security for students and staff.
- To build positive relationships with students and faculty.
- To serve as a positive role model and resource for the school community.
What will Woodland’s SRO do?
Officer Cuneta’s role will be focused on proactive engagement and support throughout the district:
- He will rotate through all district schools to ensure every student and staff member benefits from his presence.
- His primary focus will be on proactively building trust and positive relationships with students.
- He will serve as the essential liaison between the school administration and the Woodland Police Department.
- He will help ensure the safety and security of all school facilities and students.
- He will also be available to mentor and provide informal guidance and support to students.
Success story in action: Bike recovery
The positive impact was immediate. Recently, after a student’s bike was stolen from the rack, Officer Cuneta was quickly contacted. He met with the student, who had witnessed the theft, and quickly began the investigation by collaborating with staff and utilizing the school’s camera footage. Officer Cuneta swiftly used the evidence to recover the stolen bike and return it to its very happy owner.
This incident highlights the value of having a dedicated SRO who can quickly coordinate with school personnel, use available resources, and apply law enforcement expertise to ensure a positive resolution for our students.
Information provided by the Woodland School District.
Also read:
- Letter: Upcoming meetings will help ‘shape the future’ of Clark County
Margaret Tweet urges residents to participate in several Nov. 18 meetings that will influence C-TRAN board composition, transit funding and Clark County policies. - Opinion: Shrinking UI Trust Fund could cause businesses — and their workers — more pain
Elizabeth New (Hovde) warns that Washington’s UI fund is weakening and that SB 5041 could increase costs for employers and workers. - C-TRAN announces early roll-out of Honored fare expansionC-TRAN will expand its Honored fare program early, allowing low-income riders to qualify for half-price fares beginning November 17.
- VFD responds to duplex fireVancouver Fire Department crews contained a duplex fire on SE Morgan Road after heavy smoke and flames spread into the attic, sending one adult to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington expands to Peter S. Ogden Elementary SchoolThe new Ogden Elementary Club will open in January 2026, offering free after-school and summer programs for hundreds of students through a 21st CCLC grant.
- Opinion: You did it Democrats!So bravo, Democrats — you saved democracy, all right; you just forgot to save the people living in it.
- Opinion: TriMet needs ZERO new light rail vehicles for the I-5 Bridge replacementThe column details TriMet’s large spare MAX fleet, revised ridership projections, and cost comparisons with C-TRAN buses in the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program.
