Is the school resource officer at Fowlerville Community Schools being roadblocked in an effort to investigate and keep students safe?
The Fowlerville Police Department argues yes, in part because of interference from district officials — but Director of School Security Jeff Soli says he’s “totally shocked” by the accusations.
According to draft meeting minutes summarizing an attorney report before Fowlerville Village Council on May 19, Fowlerville Police Chief John Tyler has “reported repeated interference from (Soli), who continues to overstep his role and obstruct police investigations.”
The minutes continued: “The chief has had multiple unproductive meetings with the superintendent and school board, warning the district’s actions could expose them to serious legal liabilities. Law enforcement has since been excluded from threat assessments and emergency planning, leading to serious concerns about student safety in the event of a crisis.
“The chief stated that, if he had young children, he would not send them to the school due to the lack of leadership and responsiveness. Ultimately, this situation has highlighted a significant erosion of trust and goodwill between the village and the school. For many years, the village has stepped in to help the school without formal agreements or reimbursement. That approach is no longer sustainable.”
The minutes also addressed friction between the village and FCS over water infrastructure management.
In a social media post June 30, Tyler stated the department “remains fully committed to the safety of our students, staff and schools,” but added, “there must be a clear and defined line between the role of a security officer and that of an (SRO).”
A security officer can train and report, Tyler said, but an SRO is a fully sworn law enforcement officer with the authority, training and legal responsibility to respond directly to emergencies or threats, assist in developing school crisis plans, lead preparedness trainings, build trust and mentorship with students, conduct investigations and address criminal matters, and coordinate with outside agencies during a crisis.
“(We) see a real need for greater collaboration and the full, active use of the SRO role,” Tyler wrote. “School safety works best when it’s a joint effort — and we’re ready to do our part.”
Soli told The Daily on July 1 he was “totally shocked” by the attorney report, adding he reached out to Tyler for an example and hasn’t heard back. Soli said he was a police officer for 26 years, and worked for six years as a sergeant under Tyler.
“There’s no way I would do anything to inhibit any type of investigation or anything,” Soli told The Daily. “I don’t want to be the police, so I don’t do that stuff. My job is to keep the school safe. I have no idea where he was coming from with that.”
FCS, in a social media post June 30, also addressed the disagreement, saying Soli is a retired FPD officer who brings more than 20 years of SRO experience himself. He “leads a team of highly trained safety monitors in every school building, many with law enforcement or military backgrounds,” the district wrote.
The district said it partners with the village-employed SRO and maintains ongoing collaborations with FPD.
The district also said, according to a safety audit conducted in 2024 by Secure Environment Consultants, “Fowlerville has a strong security presence … professional, well-equipped, and well-prepared at all levels.”
Soli told The Daily he includes the district’s SRO on all planning and drills, and speaks with him on a regular basis.
“It’s a very important position,” said Soli, who reiterated he was previously an SRO.
This year, FCS launched the District Safety and Security Committee, co-led by Soli, to “evaluate and improve safety practices across the district.”
“At Fowlerville Community Schools, student safety is more than a priority,” the district wrote. “(It’s) a core value. We remain committed to working side-by-side with our community to keep our Gladiators safe, strong and supported.”
— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on X @SalsaEvan.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Soli ‘totally shocked’ by accusations of obstructing police investigations at FCS
Reporting by Evan Sasiela, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
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