School Resource Program

The School Resource Program is a career law enforcement officer, with sworn authority assigned by the employing law enforcement agency to work in collaboration with schools and community-based organizations to address:

• crime and disorder problems
• gangs
• drug activities affecting or occurring in or around an elementary or secondary school
• development or expansion crime prevention efforts for students
• education of likely school-age victims in crime prevention and safety
• development or expansion of community justice initiatives for students
• training of students in conflict resolution
• restorative justice
• crime awareness
• identification of physical changes in the environment that may reduce crime in or around the school
• development of school policy that addresses crime and recommend procedural changes

School Resource Officers (SROs)

School Resource Officers (SROs) are stationed in area schools to:

• promote a better understanding of our laws, why they were enacted and their benefits
• provide a visible and positive image for law enforcement
• serve as a confidential source of counseling to students concerning problems they face
• bring expertise into schools that will help young people make more positive choices in their lives
• work to protect the school environment and to maintain an atmosphere where teachers feel safe to teach and students feel safe to learn

Roles

The SRO is specifically trained to perform three roles:

• Law Enforcement Officer
• Law-Related Counselor
• Law-Related Education Teacher

The SRO is not a security guard, or officer who has been placed temporarily in a school in response to a crisis situation but, rather, acts as a comprehensive resource for his/her school.

Officers

The Rowan County Sheriff's Office currently employs two High School SROs, three middle school SROs, and one Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) officer. This unit is supervised by Sergeant C.S. Flowers.