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.