When students arrive at school each morning, they are welcomed not only by classmates and teachers but also by a new presence dedicated to their safety. Retired Oklahoma City police officer Chris Lambert joined the Bishop McGuinness staff this fall as the school’s Safety Liaison, a role designed to strengthen campus security and foster a culture of preparedness.
Although some assume his position is the same as a school resource officer (SRO), his responsibilities differ.
“My official title is the Bishop McGuinness Safety Liaison,” Lambert said. “We do have an SRO here now, but I take over aspects of safety that are not directly law enforcement related.”
Lambert’s connection to Bishop McGuinness began long before his retirement from the Oklahoma City Police Department. For years, he worked off duty with the school by scheduling officers for games, special events, and other activities. When retirement approached, he spoke with administrators about the transition. Instead of replacing him outright, they invited him to remain with the school in a new role.
“I had already built relationships here,” Lambert said. “When I retired, they asked me to stay on and continue handling safety, just from a different angle.”
His days start around 7:30 a.m. with a review of the campus. He monitors security cameras, checks doors and gates, and ensures entrances remain secure. He also listens to Oklahoma City Police Department radio traffic for the Spring Lake division where he served for 18 years to stay alert to any incidents or potential threats near campus.
Beyond daily monitoring, he assists with issues such as trespassing, vandalism, and parking permits, and he is available to respond to alarm calls after hours.
“It’s a mix of visible security and behind-the-scenes work,” Lambert said.
Lambert emphasized the importance of awareness.
“Safety is not just a one- or two-person responsibility,” Lambert said. “It takes all of us. Students need to wear their uniforms, display their lanyards, and, most importantly, not let people inside the building if they don’t know them. Ninety-nine percent of the time, letting someone in may seem innocent, until it’s not.”
His dedication to protecting others began at an early age. As a teenager, he attended a high school career day where Oklahoma City police officers spoke about their work. Combined with the influence of a family friend in law enforcement, the experience left a lasting impression.
“The idea of helping the public, catching bad guys, and doing my part to make Oklahoma City a better place drew me to policing,” Lambert said. “That calling led to a long and decorated career, and now, a new chapter of service in education.
One of his priorities at the school is approachability. Teachers frequently consult him for advice on classroom safety, from locking doors to preparing for emergency scenarios.
“Every classroom is different, its layout, its location, so you can’t just hand out one plan and say, ‘This works for everyone,’” Lambert said. “I want staff to know they can come to me anytime.”
From monitoring gates to guiding teachers, Lambert sees his work as more than a checklist of security tasks. His goal is to strengthen the school’s culture of vigilance and collective responsibility.
“I’m here to help,” Lambert said. “Keeping Bishop McGuinness safe is a responsibility we all share, and I’m proud to be part of that effort.”
