Why do we need Police Officers in our schools?
Schools are a microcosm of the community at large and as such encounter the same problems, including crime. The School Resource Officer serves as a resource to all members of this community by providing education, intervention, counseling, and deterrence.
The School Resource Officer concept is not new. It has existed in schools throughout the United States for decades, and recently has become an integral part of schools in Kansas. The Kansas Association of School Resource Officer programs, formed in 1995, is committed to working with educators and administrators to maintain an atmosphere where teachers feel safe to teach and students feel safe to learn. School Resource Officer programs are not an over reaction to increased violence in our school, but rather a proactive measure to ensure our campuses remain safe.
What are some functions of a School Resource Officer?
Kansas School Resource Officers assume three roles within the school community:
1. Educator
School Resource Officers present law-related curriculum to students, faculty, and parents. These presentations are offered by the School Resource Officers available to speak to classes and parent groups, and often provide information on an individual basis.
2. Resource Provider/Problem Solver
School Resource Officers provide informal, law-related counseling to students, teachers, and parents. This counseling can range from mediation of student conflicts to guiding students and parents to appropriate community services. School Resource Officers work closely with school social workers, counselors, and administrators to ensure students have access to all available resources.
3. Law Enforcement
School Resource Officers provide a positive law enforcement presence in the school community. Uniformed officers present a deterrent to violence, gang activity, vandalism, and theft. They also act as a positive role model for students. Officers investigate crimes which involve the school district or students and work closely with school administrators as a liaison between the school and the police department.