One of the best things about my job is working with School Resource Officers (SRO).  Most districts’ administration and Boards of Education understand the roles of the SRO:

Unfortunately, many people only view an SRO as a ‘hired gun.’  There to protect our students and staff on that worst day.  However, studies have shown that SROs are not a deterrent to school shootings.  Starting with Columbine, an SRO has been on duty at the school on the day of the event.  Although the SRO is not a deterrent, their presence may shorten the duration of the event.

So how can we increase the value of School Resource Officers in our school community?

Last month I had the pleasure to be an instructor for the Ohio School Resource Officers Association’s Advanced SRO Course.  This two-day training with SROs from across the State of Ohio covered a wide range of topics.  Although some of the officers who attended were still a little ‘wet behind the ears’ in their SRO role, many were seasoned veterans who knew how to build relationships with students and staff and were there because they wanted to do more.

 

 

 

Every year, all law enforcement officers receive legal updates as part of their Continuing Professional Training (CPT). The SROs were given training that went above what is needed by street officers and was geared towards school-based law enforcement, as well as FERPA training from legal experts. In the academy, the legal module is often the least favorite of the cadets.  You know a legal presentation is well received when the attendees’ evaluations stated they wished the presentation was longer.  The SROs learned the principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED).  Although SROs seldom talk to architects during the design phase of building a new school, they can use the information to enhance the Security and Vulnerability Assessments they conduct on the buildings in their school or district.

 

 

In Ohio, schools with grades 6-12 are required to have Threat Assessment Teams.  SROs will not be involved in all threat assessments, but they need to understand the process and know their roles and responsibilities when managing threats.  A city administrator spoke about the use of the Incident Command System and how the SRO can have a role in writing Emergency Operation Plans, developing exercises to test the plans, and working in Unified Command during an event.  One of my favorite sessions was on the recovery process for a school and a community after an event.  I have seen too many schools focus on only the response to an event and very little on how we overcome the trauma to restore a school and community.