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an SRO to be asked the question: |
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What do you do
all day? |
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An SRO has a diverse role is the school community and has many duties
and responsibilities.
We have defined a School Resource Officer as
a sworn officer assigned to a school on a long-term basis trained
to perform three major roles: law enforcement
officer, law-related
counselor and law-related educator.
In addition, the officer works in collaboration with the school
and the community as a resource for safety and security issues.
As a law enforcement officer, the school becomes the officer's beat. The SRO assists the school administration in maintaining a safe and secure environment. School administrators benefit from the SROs training, knowledge and experience is handling situations involving possible weapons violations or in the identification of controlled dangerous substances. The SRO provides a highly visible presence to deter or identify trespassers on campus. In addition, SROs provide a service to the surrounding community by addressing concerns such as loitering, speeding or loud car radios. The students when going to or from school often generate these types of community complaints.
SROs are responsible for investigating violations of criminal law and when appropriate make arrests. An SROs sworn duty to enforce the law does not contradict the need for the SRO to be positive role model -- it in fact supports it. It is essential for a SRO to endorse high moral standards and use good judgment and discretion. Through this, students learn and understand what a professional police officer does.
It is important to note that SROs are not school disciplinarians.
SROs should not be involved in investigating school rule violations:
For example, a student cheating on a test. Violations of school rules
are the responsibility of the principal and faculty. If a violation
of a school rule is also a criminal offense the SRO may conduct a
concurrent investigation and take the appropriate action under the
policies and procedures set forth by their police agency.
Implementation Activity
Can you identify areas of conflict which may arise if an SRO is asked to enforce school rules?
Make a template or list of how the SRO should work to resolve the potential conflict that can arise when they observe violations of school rules using the following example: an SRO observes student-wearing clothing which violates the school dress code policy. |
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