A school doesn't have to have serious problems in order to have a School Resource Officer nor does it mean that a school has serious problems if it has an SRO. Rather, having an SRO may help prevent a wide variety of problems from arising or from getting worse in the future. Do your schools have School Resource Officers?

What is the School Resource Officer Program?

The School Resource Officer program (SRO) is a nationally accepted and widely used program which places specially-trained law enforcement officers in elementary-, middle- and high school settings. Besides being a positive role model for the students and a law enforcement officer, the SRO is a resource for students, parents, teachers and administrators regarding many issues including, but not limited to, issues related to law and justice.

What Does the School Resource Officer Do?

School Resource Officers (SROs) are involved in prevention efforts at the school and in the community and provide a link between the school and social service agencies in the community which provide education, prevention, and counseling services. Working with administrators in each school, the SRO assists with finding solutions to problems affecting the students.

The SRO program is a proactive approach dealing with such issues as the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, in addition to dealing with peer pressure, gang activity, and sex. SROs work alone and as part of a team consisting of teachers, parents, students, and school administrators. Depending upon the issue at hand, members of the health care community, faith community, business sector, and others may participate as part of the team in order to best address any given issue.

One of the most important aspects of the SRO program is the ability of the officer to develop teamwork in fighting many problems that students of today are facing.

In addition to the activities mentioned above, School Resource Officers investigate crimes occurring within the school and on school property, and foster the creation of a link between law enforcement and the students.

Here's a contract for a School Resource Officer. I am only linking you to the site, not verifying or testifying to its thoroughness or legality. Join an online forum/discussion among School Resource Officers. Read what the Center for the Prevention of School Violence offers concerning SROs. Read what the Excelsior Springs (MO) SRO must have to qualify for the position. The Virginia Center for School Safety has a very informative site concerning the cost of implementing their SRO program, among other things. A few of the many School Resource Officer Programs in the United States include those found in Mayfield (KY), Wichita (KS) and Fairbanks (OH). There are also SRO programs in other countries such as Canada.

School-Based Solutions

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© 2002 Michael K. Carlie
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the author and copyright holder - Michael K. Carlie.