SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER

Detective Bob Lenahan

What is a School Resource Officer?

The school resource officer is a law enforcement officer in the educational environment. This officer will have a variety of functions and will serve as:

• A visible, active law enforcement figure dealing with all law related issues

• A classroom resource for instruction in the following areas:
1) Law related education
2) Violence Diffusion
3) Safety Programs
4) Alcohol and Drug Prevention
5) Crime Prevention

• A member of the faculty and administrative team working hand in hand or cooperatively to solve problems.
• A resource for the students providing guidance, support, and information on all law related topics and procedures.

• A resource for the teachers, parents, and students for conferences on an individual basis, dealing with specific problems and questions such as:

• Date Rape
• Juvenile Law
• Drugs and Alcohol
• Domestic Violence
• Child Abuse
• Rape Crisis
• Violence Diffusion
• Gang Activity

• A counseling resource in areas which may affect the safety and security of the educational environment.

• The TRIAD Concept

The concept of the TRIAD represents the central philosophy behind the school resource officer program. This concept highlights the three roles that the officer serves:

• Teacher

As a guest speaker, the SRO serves as a member of the faculty and administrator who provides law related education to the students, parents and staff.

• Counselor

The SRO provides informal counseling for students and parents based on the expertise of the law enforcement officer. In addition the officer works closely with the school's counseling staff to provide, information on available community services.

• Law Enforcement Officer

The third prong of the Triad includes the traditional responsibilities of a police officer. As a uniformed armed officer, the SRO is a visual deterrent to individuals who would seek to threaten the safety of the school environment. As an officer of the law, the SRO also investigates crimes, serves as a liaison between the school and the police department, and models the appropriate values of an adult authority figure.

• To teach the value of our legal system
• To promote respect for people and property
• To reduce juvenile crimes by helping students develop an awareness of rules, authority and justice
• To take personal interest in students and their activities
• To allow students access to the legal system
• To give students a realistic picture of our laws and the legal system so they will have an investment in supporting and improving it
• To teach students how to avoid becoming a victim through self awareness and crime prevention
• To bridge the gap between the police officer and young people and foster positive attitudes among the students toward law enforcement

The youth of our community is our most precious resource. Acknowledging that there may be real or perceived lapses of communication between young adults and authority figures, the SRO program has been developed. This program provides a means of non-confrontational interaction between the student, faculty, staff, and police. This program will also provide a greater police presence in those schools to which the SRO's are assigned. Such presence will aid in the reduction of outsiders coming to the school to create problems for the student body and school administrators.