The Ideal SRO
Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com
I had the honor this past week of delivering a presentation during Cygnus’ combined public safety discipline expo in Atlanta, Georgia. My presentation had to do with school attacks and how much of law enforcement’s patrol protocols had evolved in response to such through the last century. From 1891 we really didn’t do anything different. In the late ’60s, due to riots and snipers, SWAT was developed and grew nationwide. The development of SWAT changed how patrol did business. In 1999 Columbine made us change again and patrol had to take back some of the aggressive “go get ‘em” attitude and work. 9/11 changed our outlook again as we took on the reality of terrorist events within our borders.
During one part of the presentation though I discuss School Resource Officers (SROs) and how their function is unique in the public safety arena. After all, we task them NOT with keeping the peace in our schools, but with protecting our children. Think about it… their job in keeping the peace involves every task that might be required to keep our children safe while in that school environment. What I often discuss is what type of person that requires. It is, after all, a special job and does take a special outlook. What is that outlook?
Well, depending on whether it’s an elementary school, middle school or high school the officer has to have the appropriate outlook to relate to the students. After all, you can’t hold the same conversation with a 2nd grader than you can with a 10th grader and you’re not likely to get anywhere near the same questions.
But no matter what age group you’re dealing with I realized there are two things I desire and expect from an SRO in my son’s school:
- I expect them to be ready and willing to give their life to protect my son, and
- I expect them to conduct themselves in such a way as to be a good role model for my son.
Now I know those probably aren’t topics normally discussed in cop circles (in my experience) but they are my biggest priorities as a parent. If an active shooter event occurs the SRO’s first and biggest priority should be neutralizing the attacker(s). I KNOW that means he or she will probably have some bullets shot at them. Every bullet shot at the SRO is one less shot at a student. I WANT them to be a seven foot tall 350 pound special forces veteran who will absorb 40 rounds before falling. I WANT them to be willing to shield children with their own body and sacrifice themselves to save those children’s lives. I fervently hope it never has to happen.
Many of the students in so many of our schools don’t have a lot of good examples of adults in their lives. Sad but true. I envision the SRO as a strong role model for the children. While it may seem weird for a male SRO to be a model for a female student or vice-versa, the reality is that eveyr SRO can model certain behaviors that we want ALL of our children to copy: honesty, integrity, independence, compassion and a healthy lifestyle. Now I’m not saying we need to go overboard with it but the students, when they look at the SRO, should see a responsible adult who is always courteous while remaining professional; a human being capable of lending an understanding ear; an accomplished adult who continues to seek improvement through education and exercise as well as sharing their lives in a way that improves the quality of life for others.
What do you think? I would seriously like to see some other thoughts on this topic. Am I way out there in this outlook? or is it shared by some folks out there?
Let me know…
An excellent article. The best I am have read so far. Here is hoping that more departments (mine included) agree with and follow this line of thinking.
I like yout description of what what you want your SRO to be. At 6 feet, 210 lbs of working out every day and worked Special Forces Support for six years, I was an SRO at our high school for three years. I just left the school last spring. You are right on about how much just being a role model can change the composition of the school environment. It also takes a different kind of officer to work in that environment. My main goal for those three years was trying to prevent and preparting for an active shooter situation. At the time I did not know I was being a role model. If you are and officer and want to KNOW that you MADE a difference, be an SRO.
The SRO position is one of the most underated poitions a LE dept. has. Not only are we protecting our children, but managing their daily dramas. I took over the local high school SRO position as a way to interact, and hopefully influence the kids in a postive manner before they hit the streets and become regulars in our jails. There is a level of patience and compassion, that unless you have been in the role, is demanding emotionally. I pride myself on trying to relate, understand, and help be a more positive type role model than most of the kids have been getting in the home. If you have the opportunity to be a SRO for even a short time, I would recommend the challenge. It can be rewarding, and disappointing, but something you should experience. Great article!
Great article! I am an SRO at a middle school, I am a role model to my students, I am ready and willing to lay my life on the line for the students, and I am the most forgotten person in my agency. It’s a shame but a reality in the SRO position for so many of us. I only wish our admin staff understood the role of SRO’s. We are being tasked with things outside our job description. Thanks for this article so maybe others will get a better understanding and appreciation for the role SRO’s play in the lives of our children.
Except for the physical size, this describes our SRO to a tee! I wouldn’t want it any other way. He IS what I would want for my son’s or daughter’s SRO. I work with him every day, and I am GLAD to sing his praises. He is TRULY there for our kids!
I interned with a Sheriff’s Department in High School with their SRO division. I loved it and I still think about it after several years. I hope to get another opportunity one day.
Great Article and I enjoyed your view point at the Expo in Atlanta. I must admit, I had not given alot of thought to the role of SRO’s until you taught this class. I agree and there needs to be more training and networking between local police departments and our SRO’s. I hear alot of officers working the road stating that SRO’s are not real police which is not true (under rated as Marc said). SRO’s are our first line of defense. Thanks to all the SRO’s protecting our children. The qualities you mentioned a SRO need is what ever LE need every where. Thank you.
Would you want this officer responding to your parents house for a burglary in progress? Would you want this officer investigating the SA of your daughter or son?
Set up an application or resume process
Entertain a probationary period with the PD and have school input and FINAL say
You should not allow it to be bid by seniority or any other means other than a meritorious promotion or similar process which results in the best person being assigned the job.
You have a right to know who is being put in your school to “protect” and “care” for your kids and your faculty and staff.
Ask for daily reports from the SRO staff.
The SRO can be an incredible asset to the both the school, the community and the police department. They can cause calamitous problems if the wrong person is put in the position and left to his or her own devices.
03/02/2004 - Jonesboro GA – SRO indicted for child molestation
11/24/2006 - Johnston RI – SRO resigns after having sex with 16 year old student
06/23/2008 - Richland County SC – SRO fired for “inappropriate hugging” of 14 year old girls
05/29/2007 – SRO imprisoned for sending lewd pictures to youths from his cell phone