The School Resource
Officer (SRO) program is the next step in Community
Oriented Policing (COP). The SRO is an asset used by
the community and the school in an attempt to
address situations in the lives of students in a
forum other than the judicial system.
The
School Resource Officer program (SRO) is a
nationally accepted program involving the placement
of a law enforcement officer within the educational
environment. The officer, while in school, is
involved in a variety of functions aimed at
prevention. Besides being an active high profile law
enforcement officer, the SRO is a resource for
students, parents, teachers and administration
regarding law issues. Another duty for the SRO is
being a link to other service agencies which provide
preventive and counseling services within the school
district. Working hand in hand with the Principal in
each school, the SRO assists with finding solutions
to problems affecting school age children of the
90s.
The SRO
program is a proactive approach to deal with the
pressures today's young people find themselves
having to confront. This includes the use of
alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, along with peer
pressure, gang activity, and sex. These situations
are not only in the schools, but in the community as
well. The approach of addressing these issues only
in the school, or only in the community, has not
been completely effective. Traditionally, police and
school did not interact until one called upon the
other.
This is a question
that is common with parents, teachers, and community
leaders. The question is easily answered when you
ask yourself the following: Wouldn't you rather send
your child to a school where there is an active law
enforcement officer on duty, working with the school
system, who acts quickly to solve problems?
While there have been
some concerns within and around Harper Creek
Schools, an officer in the school is not a required
necessity. Any time an officer is in an area, that
officer’s presence alone will usually deter behavior
not normally accepted by society.
The Harper Creek
School system, and the Emmett Township Department of
Public Safety, are working together to confront
problems our students must face now. By addressing
these issues together and proactively we become
increasingly effective.
Throughout the United
States each year over 200,000 violent crimes occur
on school property. Each year 150,000 students stay
home because they are "sick of violence and afraid
they might be stabbed, shot, or beaten". Every day
in the U.S. 60 teachers are assaulted and 160 are
threatened. It is estimated that between 100,000 and
135,000 guns are brought to school each day. During
the 1992-93 school year, 91% of urban schools, 81%
of suburban schools, and 69% of rural schools
identified student vs. student assaults as the
leading school related violent act.
Although most
statistics are nationwide, we can see the trend. An
SRO, if utilized correctly, should be the first line
of defense against gangs, drugs, alcohol, and school
violence. The Supreme Court recognized the effects
that gangs and drugs have in our schools and have
ruled that "gangs and drugs" are inherently
dangerous. They have also stated that every student
in the United States has the right to feel safe
while attending school.
Through prevention
programs, it is hoped that in Emmett Township and
the Harper Creek Schools, we can reverse the trends
that are hurting our youth and education. The school
system understands and believes that we hold the
future of youth in our hands.
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.
The basic outline of
duties for the SRO includes investigating crimes
that occur within the school and on school property,
creating a positive role model for students,
creating a link between law enforcement and the
students, and being a resource for parents, staff,
administration, and students in regards to law
enforcement and community problems.
The SRO works with
the School Administration, Educators, and
Counselors. The role each plays is dependent on the
needs of the situation. Harper Creek Schools are
dedicated to providing an education to all of their
students. With this goal in mind, all assets and
services are pledged to this end. The primary
concern is that of the student.
