School Resource Officer

School Resource Officer

The School Resource Officer (SRO) is responsible for all police-related activities involving the school(s) to which he / she is assigned. He / she establishes a rapport with students, faculty, and the community. The SRO acts as a liaison between the school and the Reidsville Police Department. The SRO has the responsibility of dealing with campus-related problems that range from crime prevention to law enforcement; investigative follow-up; individual and group counseling, and delinquency.

A School Resource Officer is a career Law Enforcement Officer, with sworn authority, deployed in community-oriented policing, and assigned by the Reidsville Police Department to work in collaboration with schools and community-based organizations :

• To address crime and disorder problems, violence, and drug activities affecting or occurring in or around an elementary or secondary school
• To develop or expand crime prevention efforts for students
• To educate likely school-age victims in crime prevention and safety
• To create or expand community justice initiatives for students
• To train students in conflict resolution, restorative justice, and crime awareness
• To assist in the identification of physical changes in the environment that may reduce crime in or around school, and
• To assist in developing school policy that addresses crime and to recommend procedural changes.

The Basic Triad Concept SRO as Law Enforcement Officer, law-related educator, and mentor :

The SRO has the responsibility of dealing with campus-related problems that range from crime prevention to law enforcement; investigative follow-up; individual and group counseling, and delinquency. The school resource officer normally works alone and is exposed to an element of danger. Must act without supervision and exercise independent judgment in emergencies. It is essential that the applicants have a working knowledge of both the community's social service agencies and the adult and juvenile justice system. The SRO will be a referral source for various social service agencies. The School Resource Officer must interact with area residents and businesses to form partnerships in crime prevention and controlling or redirecting illicit youth group activity. Must regularly participate in meetings and committee work within the officer's assigned school and occasionally communicate with the media. The SRO shall not act as a school disciplinarian, as disciplining students is a school responsibility. When it is believed that an incident is a violation of the law, the SRO will be contacted to determine whether or not law enforcement action is appropriate. The SRO will work a flexible schedule depending on the hours necessary for specific events at each school. The School Resource Officer will work 171 hours in a 28-day work cycle on a flexible shift basis.

Must be certified law enforcement officers in the state of North Carolina, or eligible for certification. A minimum of two years of experience as a patrol officer is required. Candidates must have a clean disciplinary record and pass background checks, including psychological evaluations, drug screenings, and physical exams. A valid North Carolina driver's license is typically needed.