Michael Oliveira is known by many names: The Brazilian Rocky, Officer Oliveira, and most recently Mr. Oliveira from Second Creek Elementary.
His names represent his different roles throughout his life – professional boxer, police officer, correctional officer, private security guard, and now School Safety Guard (SSG).
Pictured: Michael Oliveira during his boxing career in 2012.
Round 1: The Journey
At the mere age of 18, Michael, the Brazilian Rocky, had three world titles under his belt and was predicted to be the future of Brazil’s boxing scene. However, Oliveira’s career was cut short when he was hospitalized for a clot in his brain, marking the end of his boxing career and leaving him reevaluating his career.
Oliveira decided to put his strength and physique to good use – he dedicated the next years of his life to protect and keep others safe.
This meant moving to the United States to be a police officer in Miami, Florida, and then Aurora and Weld County, Colorado. He also worked as a correctional officer and private security guard before working with Pilum Defense Agency.
Pilum Defense Agency is a team made up of former Military and Federal Law Enforcement personnel who have the experience needed to meet different organizations’ security needs. After 27J voters passed a Mill Levy Override in 2022 that included a focus on increasing safety in schools, 27J contracted with Pilum to create a new position at every elementary school: School Safety Guards.
SSGs are armed and stationed at schools to deter outside threats, immediately respond to threats, and build relationships with students, staff, and the community. They cannot ticket, detain, or arrest, as they are private security guards.
Mr. Oliveira sitting with students during class time.
Round 2: The Second Creek Community
These days, Oliveira stays busy as an SSG at Second Creek Elementary. His typical day involves monitoring the school perimeter for anything suspicious or out of the ordinary throughout the day, monitoring who comes in and out of the school, checking door locks, and being present during student drop-off and pick-up times.
On Monday, when there’s no school, you can find Oliveira training. Whether it’s practice shooting, arrest controls, or other safety protocols, he’s ensuring it will be handled with the expertise needed.
If an unsafe situation were to occur, Oliveira is ready.
In the event of a Standard Response Protocol (SRP), such as a Lockdown, going into effect Oliveira would work hand-in-hand with the local police department and school and district administration to provide on-site support that will be guided by local officials.
“My biggest priority is making sure kids come back tomorrow.”
Micheal Oliveira, SSG
Although Oliveira’s job is heavily focused on preventative measures to ensure school safety, he’s made it a point to build strong relationships with his school’s staff, parents, and students. On Second Creek’s back-to-school night, he introduced himself to the families and emphasized how his role is not to discipline students or arrest them – he’s there to protect them.
At pick-up time, Oliveira now knows most parents by name. If he doesn’t, he’ll make it a point to approach and get to know them.
On the student side, the kids love having Mr. Oliveira around to assist them, whether it’s walking to class or simply making them feel at ease during the school day. Oliveira intentionally goes into at least one different classroom every day to become familiar with each and every student.
Mr. Oliveira helping a student fill up their water bottle.
Knockout
Mr. Oliveira has had a unique journey that started in the boxing ring in Brazil to the hallways of Second Creek Elementary—a place where he has brought a sense of security and joy.
Guards like Mr. Oliveira, school staff, and families working together combined with voters’ support of increased funding for safety has become the one-two punch 27J needed to keep making our schools safer places to learn.
