School Resource Officers

School system and law enforcement agencies typically work collaboratively to carry out SRO programs. On a daily basis, the program depends on the working relationship which exists between the SRO’s and the school principals. By sharing a common vision that schools must be safe and secure for learning to take place, the SRO’s and the principals become members of the team united in making sure that learning environments are free of fear and conducive to learning.

As the SRO is a promising strategy because it unites communities and schools to address school violence with both prevention and intervention techniques. Having an SRO on a school campus can prevent problems from happening. It can enhance a school’s capacity to address its safety and security concerns. When problems do arise, SRO’s can intervene quickly to address school related issues that interfere with normal educational functions. SRO’s can contribute to safe school planning efforts and offer their schools a resource to turn to when emergencies occur. Ultimately, the presence of an SRO assists in making the school safer and more secure for students, teachers and staff. The entire community benefits as well because learning is more likely to take place in such an environment.