1. The first step in developing an SRO program is to complete an assessment. The school district must openly assess its security needs and look at the way they currently interact with the police department. When do schools call the police for assistance? How does the school report criminal offenses that occur on school property?

2. The next step is to identify those individuals who are the stakeholders in maintaining a safe school. Students, parents, school employees, community members and the police department must be brought in to discuss options in developing a partnership between the school district and law enforcement. At this point information and research on starting an SRO program should be presented to the interested parties.

3. If the School Resource Officer Program is believed to be the best option in providing police services to the school community, a project team should be assembled. The SRO project team should consist of representatives from the school system, police department and community groups.

4. At this point of the process several key issues must be explored. Who is going to pay for the School Resource Officers? What are the standard operating procedures and policies for the SRO program? How will we introduce the SRO into the school community?