From The Chief
Response Task Force
What is an SRO?
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 the situations in the lives of students in a forum other than the judicial system.
The School Resource Officer program, 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, faculty, and administrators in regards to law issues. Another duty for the SRO is being a link to service agencies which provide preventative and counseling services within the school district. Working hand in hand with the administrators in each school, the SRO assists with finding solutions to problems affecting school age children of the 90's.
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 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.
Are the Schools so bad that we need SRO's?
This is a common question 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 Center Area Schools, an officer in the school is not a required necessity. Any time an officer is in the area, that officer's presence alone will usually deter behavior not normally accepted by society.
The Center Area School District, and the Center Township Police Department, 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 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 more are threatened. It is estimated that between 100,000 and 135,000 guns are brought to school each day. During the 92-93 school year, 91% of urban schools, 81% of subrurban 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, drugs, alcohol, and school violence. Every student in the United States has the right to feel safe while attending school, and through prevention programs, it is hoped that we can reverse the trends that are hurting our youth and education.The school system and the police department understand and believe that we hold the future of youth in our hands.
What do SROs do?
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 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. The Center Area School District is 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.
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