School Resource Officer

What is a School Resource Officer?

The School Resource Officer (SRO) is a certified law enforcement officer who is permanently assigned to provide coverage to all Blair schools. The SRO is specifically trained to perform three roles: law enforcement officer, law-related counselor, and law-related education teacher. The SRO is not a security guard, or officer who has been placed temporarily in a school in response to a crisis situation but rather acts as a comprehensive resource for the school.

Primary Duties of the SRO

The primary duties of the School Resource Officer are:

• Enforcement of laws and assistance with emergency situations on and surrounding Blair school campuses.
• Maintain a highly visible presence on the Blair school campuses and the surrounding neighborhoods to suppress criminal activity and promote positive relationships.
• Conduct educational programs in the classroom related to the criminal justice system thus providing greater insight into the administration of justice.
• Coordinate security for special events on campus, especially after school functions such as social and athletic events.
• Act as a positive role model for students and provide guidance or referral when appropriate.
• Actively participate in a truancy program utilizing such methods as: attendance patrol, and home visits.

The Goals of the SRO Program

The goal of this program is to create and maintain a safe, secure, and orderly learning environment for students, teachers, and staff within the Blair School System. The officers represent a proactive strategy designed to deal with early intervention and crime prevention in the schools. This program is one of the best examples of community-oriented policing that exists today.