Employee Spotlight: DIANA LARKIN
As Coordinator for the Arkansas Center for School Safety, Diana oversees program operations and collaborates with law enforcement agencies and school districts statewide. She brings firsthand SRO experience and a strong operational perspective to the Center’s day-to-day work.
Diana brings a diverse and well-rounded background to her role, with more than 30 years of experience in corporate accounting and small business ownership, followed by a transition into law enforcement as a School Resource Officer with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. A lifelong learner, she holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and a Master’s in Business Administration, and is currently completing her PhD in Organizational Management.
Guided by a strong passion for education and youth well-being, Diana is committed to strengthening school safety efforts and continuing to learn and share knowledge that supports students, educators, and school communities across Arkansas.
What is your role at the Criminal Justice Institute?
My role as Coordinator for the Arkansas Center for School Safety is multifaceted. I am responsible for managing the Center for School Safety programs and leading the staff who support its mission. In addition, I collaborate closely with School Resource Officers, law enforcement agencies, and school district personnel to provide essential training and educational resources.
What are you most excited to accomplish as the Coordinator for the Safe Schools Program?
The Safe Schools Program has already accomplished a great deal and I hope to build upon that strong foundation. One of my top priorities is reaching out to those who are already excelling in school safety efforts. Across the state, there are School Resource Officers, law enforcement agencies, and school districts that place school safety at the highest priority. By learning from their successful programs, we can identify proven strategies and share effective school safety practices with others.
Another key priority is improving Arkansas’s national ranking in school safety by being at the forefront of change and innovation. This includes taking a proactive approach—anticipating where school safety needs are headed over the next five years—while remaining focused on meeting the immediate safety needs of schools today.
What inspired you to move from serving as a School Resource Officer to this new role?
Whew! This had to be one of the most difficult professional decisions I have ever made. Attending the police academy at 52 years old and absolutely loving my role as a School Resource Officer with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, it truly felt like I was finally where I was meant to be. I wasn’t looking for a career change. I worked with the best co-workers—twelve hundred of them—ranging from pre-K through fifth grade. I often told people they were “my little besties.”
When I mentioned this position to my Chief Deputy, he told me I could take the drive, passion, and love I have for these kids and share it with all the kids in Arkansas. When he said that, I knew I could be part of something bigger and better, and I was up for the challenge. Although there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss my kids at Sheridan Elementary and Intermediate Schools, I know I am still working for them—watching over them, just a little farther away.
What do you enjoy most about working with law enforcement and school communities?
Working as a Deputy with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, I never imagined it could be better anywhere else. Sheriff Pete Roberts understands the importance of community engagement and fully supported the opportunities I brought forward. Three years ago, Deputy D’s Danger Dodgers was established at Sheridan Elementary and Intermediate Schools. I never could have imagined the impact it would have on the children, the community, or on me personally.
Mentoring kids and being there for them on their good days and their bad days is what I enjoyed most, and my role as a mentor will continue. Danger Dodgers has grown into a community program so we can keep doing great things together. After all, our kids are our future, and it is up to us to lead them, guide them, and support them every chance we get. I am honored and humbled to be that person for so many.
What was the most challenging part of being a School Resource Officer?
The most challenging part of being a School Resource Officer was accepting that I could not “fix” everything. I learned early on that I could only do so much—do my job and allow others to do theirs. While that understanding was difficult at times, and I admit I occasionally frustrated others by making sure they were working just as hard for the child or children as I was, it always came from the right place: the kids.
Some days, sending a child home was the hardest part of the job. Anyone who works with children every day understands that. It can be truly heart-wrenching.
What was the most rewarding part of being a School Resource Officer?
This is a question I could talk about forever. The most rewarding job I have ever had was being a School Resource Officer. Watching children grow academically, emotionally, physically, and spiritually was incredibly fulfilling. As I mentioned earlier, I often referred to the kids as “my little besties.” They shared everything with me, and it mattered to them that I was there every day to listen.
And of course, since I worked with pre-K through fifth grade, the biggest concern in their world was usually what was for lunch.
What advice would you give to someone in their first year as an SRO?
School Resource Officers have one of the biggest platforms in law enforcement—use it! This can be the best job you’ll ever have. Be seen—in the halls, cafeteria, and playground. Take every training you can but make time for the kids. Lead groups, teach in the classroom, run a food or clothing closet—be more than just a police officer.
You have the power to make a real difference. Sometimes, you’re the only safe, positive adult in a child’s life. Make it count. Twenty years from now, be the person they still remember.
What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received?
Gosh, this is a big question. I’ve had many mentors in my life and people I could always count on. I’ve received a lot of good professional advice, but if I had to choose one source, it would be my mother. Throughout her life, she gave me solid personal and professional guidance.
Another piece of advice that has stuck with me came from my uncle, Lieutenant Colonel Larry Larkin, retired Indiana State Police. He once said, “Make a decision and stick with it. You will know soon enough if it was the right one.” Sometimes, no matter your age or experience, just making a decision is hard—even for the best decision-makers. As police officers, we are often required to make critical decisions in the spur of the moment, under the most challenging circumstances.
What’s one word your coworkers would use to describe you?
Passionate
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
When I’m not on the job, you can find me staying busy and having fun! I’m all in with my kid program, Deputy D’s Danger Dodgers, serve as a board member and ride with the Arkansas Blue Knights IV Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club. I also coach youth girls’ softball (12U–14U) and serve on the Sheridan Girls Softball Association board. And for a little extra thrill? I occasionally jump out of airplanes—because why not!
Diana’s passion for school safety and genuine care for kids are evident in everything she does. We are proud to have someone with her experience, energy, and heart supporting schools and communities across Arkansas.