THE SENTINEL: School Resource Officers: Violence Prevention and Community Policing Par Excellence

Since the Columbine tragedy on April 20, 1999 I have had the opportunity to address those dedicated to violence prevention and character development throughout the nation. Along with administrators, teachers, counselors, threat assessment teams, security officials, school board members and community leaders, law enforcement officials have always been represented at these venues particularly through school resource officers (SROs). In my opinion, the SRO represents one of the most important school violence and community policing initiatives imaginable.

According to the SRO triad concept, the SRO serves the school community as a law enforcement officer, educator and counselor/problem solver.

Reprinted from the NJASRO Website

Role of the SRO

Prevent Juvenile delinquency through close contact with students and school faculty.
Establish liaison with school principal, faculty and students.
Establish and maintain liaison between School Security Officers and other SROs assigned to the campus.
Inform students of their rights and responsibilities as lawful citizens.
Provide liaison between students and social agencies with respect to needed services.
Act as a resource to the principal in investigating criminal law violations occurring in the school or on school property.
Assist administration and faculty in formulating criminal justice programs.
Formulate educational prevention programs to reduce opportunities for crime, violence, substance abuse, and other risk associated behaviors.
Participate in parent, teacher, and student association meetings as requested.
Participate in campus activites, student organizations, and athletic events when invited and feasible.
Present a positive image of law enforcement in the eyes of the students and the community.

The SRO is a priceless component of school violence prevention and character education for our school communities. This initiative affords the opportunity not only for violence prevention, education and counseling but also promotes a positive image of law enforcement to our nation’s youth. A school should do everything possible to have an SRO program in its community.

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