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A School Resource Officer (SRO) is a certified police officer who is assigned full-time to
a school. For this, SRO's receive many hours of ongoing specialized training.
The concept is similar to the "cop on floor patrol" who knows the public he
serves on a first name basis and is sensitive to their particular needs.
Like many adults, some students view police officers solely as enforcers of the law.
By establishing a daily rapport with their school's SRO at a young age, students
will not only gain a positive role model, but also a better understanding of police
officers many other duties and responsibilities.
Likewise, SRO's will gain a better perspective of the youngsters in their school. By
carefully assessing the needs of individual students, SRO's will be more aware of the
development of unhealthy or destructive behavioral patterns. Through early
intervention, it is possible, in many cases, to redirect negative behaviors before they
cause a student to be referred to the Criminal Justice System.
SRO's visit classrooms and present topics of a law related nature. Classroom
presentations consist of Substance Abuse Prevention, Crime Prevention, Conflict Management
and an introduction to all aspects of the Criminal Justice Field. SRO's are also
available as a resource for teachers in developing specialty programs tailored to specific
units of study such as Crime Victim Prevention Techniques, Bias-Motivated Violence, Cults
and Gangs and Drunk Driving Prevention. Through classroom instruction students gain
a better understanding of the police role in today's society.
Working with school administrators, SRO's investigate criminal violations which involve
students as victims or suspects. The students' knowledge that investigations of
criminal incidents will be conducted is in itself a deterrent to delinquent behavior - a
primary goal of the program.
Security and safety within the school are other concerns of SRO's. They evaluate
situations and make recommendations to school administrators in reference to safety issues
in the schools. The mere presence of an officer helps deter unwanted persons from
frequenting campuses. It also serves as notice to students that contraband, such as
weapons and illegal substances, will not be tolerated at school.
Students are encouraged to seek the personalized attention of SRO's. Each officer is
specially trained to conduct informal, individual or group discussions. SRO's are
available for conferences with students, parents and faculty members regarding law-related
problems and crime prevention techniques. SRO's are familiar with the various social
services and local community resources that are available for referral.
The involvement of SRO's extends far beyond the classroom and normal workday.
Officers participate in parent-teacher and faculty meetings, student social and sporting
events and club projects. The presence of SRO's tends to strengthen the
student/police bonds and show the officer's commitment to the students and their education
and safety.
The goals is to make D.A.R.E./SRO available in every elementary, middle and high school in
the Bay County area. The continued growth of these programs depends to a large
extent on direct support from the Panama City community. Anyone interested in
becoming D.A.R.E./SRO supporters should contact
Lt. Andy Smith Coordinator, D.A.R.E./SRO Program at the Bay County Sheriff's Office.
Last Update:
January 08, 2008 |
