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What is a School Resource Officer?A School Resource Officer will assume rotating roles as counselor and law enforcement officer. The officer is not a school disciplinarian, but when a violation of a the Forestville School District Code of Conduct is also a violation of any local, state or federal law, the school administration and the School Resource Officer will work together. The School Resource Officer will use any resources available to help the students, the school, and the community find a solution to any problems.When acting as counselor, the SRO is available to talk to students, parents, teachers, and the administration about problems that may involve the criminal justice system. School Resource Officers bring additional resources into the school. Because of their experience, training and their assignment, the SROs have time to talk with students when they may need to talk to someone, and will have an opportunity to become a positive influence in their lives. The School Resource Officer Program is intended to help young people and their families with situations that could become dangerous if not diverted by referral to the resources available in the community.
As the law enforcement influence on the campus, the SRO program allows the community to be more involved in their school. The school’s job continues to be the education of their students. While the SRO, as the law enforcement presence, will assist school authorities in policing activities and interventions.
When the school district and the community work together to create a safe and orderly educational environment, young people feel safer and are more likely to learn. No one can teach or learn if they are afraid when they come to school. The School Resource Officer helps make a difference between merely “being” at school and “learning” at school. The School Resource Officer Program is reflective of our investment in proactive, community-oriented policing.
