Implementing an Effective School Resource Officer Program

Collaboration between law enforcement officers and schools is an important step in increasing school safety. The concept of having law enforcement officers involved with schools stems from the practice of community policing. Community policing utilizes the assistance of community members for identifying and prioritizing problems and developing solutions. The school community may involve the following: superintendents, administrators, principals and assistant principals, teachers and assistants, counselors, school nurses, school social workers and psychologists, bus drivers, custodians, maintenance and cafeteria personnel, students and parents. In a School Resource Officer program the members of the school community partner with the law enforcement officer assigned to their school in order to create a setting that is safe and secure, with a focus on prevention and early intervention activities.