WESLACO – Weslaco police officers are implementing a new safety program to protect students at schools.

Officer Juan Mariscal and five other uniformed and experienced Weslaco officers are now trained to protect Weslaco schools.

Officers started patrolling the school in January, checking lockers for drugs and weapons and making sure doors stay locked and secured.

Mariscal says there are two officers permanently stationed at each high school and two officers rotating around Weslaco’s four middle schools.

He says officers serve as more than protectors; they also act as mentors for the students.

Weslaco High School parent, Yolanda Reyna, says the halls of Weslaco High are right where police belong.

"I think it's great, it needs to be there always, because if something was to happen, at least you know they're right there," says Reyna.

For more information watch the video above.