Role of the SRO

Just what is the role of the School Resource Officer (SRO)?

Is he there as a "friend" of students and staff? Or is he (or she) there first as a law-enforcement officer.

Board Policy KLGA addresses the SRO's role. Read the Policy, and then consider my request to the Richland 2 School Board. Here is my email to the Board, sent today:


Members of the Richland 2 School Board and trustees-elect McKie and Holmes,

Board Policy KLGA was adopted in April 2019 and is in need of revision. May I ask your attention to the following?

Please state specifically where on the District's website Level III and Level II offenses can be found. I have found them and will be addressing them. If you haven't read Why Meadow Died, I urge you to begin reading it. You'll see how disciplinary handling of criminal offenses led to the 2/14/2018 shooting in Parkland, Fla.

Jurisdiction

Page 2. "The school resource officer is granted statewide jurisdiction to arrest any persons committing crimes in connection with a school activity or school-sponsored event,"

The School District lacks the authority to grant statewide jurisdiction to SROs. It is the Sheriff's Dept. (their employer) that grants authority to its deputies, who are the SROs. I suggest the appropriate rewording of that sentence.

Under Roles and Responsibilities, this wording appears: 

" ● Establish and maintain a close partnership with the school administration and staff to maintain a safe and constructive learning environment." 

It is not the responsibility of the SRO to establish and maintain a constructive learning environment. I suggest removing "and constructive".

" ● Serve as a resource to administrators and staff concerning law enforcement and child welfare issues."

I suggest deleting "and child welfare". The deputy is a cop and will be less knowledgeable than those assigned to Child Welfare in the County and State.

"Develop educational programs and activities on topics such as crime prevention that will increase a student’s knowledge of and respect for the law and the function of law enforcement agency programs."

The deputy is a cop, not an educator. The School Board must be involved in, and approve, curricula involving "educational programs and activities". Parents must play a part in this, too, as should interested community members.

Memorandum of Understanding

Any deal made between District and the Sheriff's Department MUST be known to, and approved by, the School Board, not just by District Administration.