Haddon Twp. Police Department | Departments

What is a school resource officer?

The school resource officer program is a nationally accepted program involving the placement of a law enforcement officer within the educational environment on several different levels. The officer is involved in a variety of functions.

As a visible, active law enforcement figure on campus dealing with any law-related issues.
As a classroom resource for instruction in the following areas: law related education, violence diffusion, safety programs, alcohol and drug prevention, crime prevention and other areas.
As a member of the faculty and administrative team working hand in hand to solve problems in the school community.
As a resource for the students which will enable students to be associated with a law enforcement figure in the student's environment.
As a resource to teachers, parents, and students for conferences on an individual basis, dealing with individual problems or questions. As a counseling resource in areas which may affect the educational environment but may be of a law-related nature.

Goals of the SRO

Bridge the gap between police officer and young people and increase positive attitudes toward law enforcement.
Teach the value of our legal system.
Promote respect for teachers, citizens and property.
Reduce juvenile crime by helping students formulate an awareness of rules, authority and justice.
To take a personal interest in students and their activities.
To allow students access to the legal system.
To give students a realistic picture of our laws and legal system so they will have an investment in supporting and improving it.
Teach students how to avoid becoming a victim through self awareness and crime prevention.

The Role of the SRO

Work closely with the school principal(s), meeting at least on a weekly basis.
Provide a program of educational leadership to the students, parents and faculty addressing tobacco, alcohol, other drug issues, gang activity, violence diffusion, violence prevention, crime prevention, and safety issues in the school community.
Act as a communication liaison with law enforcement agencies, provide basic information concerning students on campuses served by the officer.
Gather information regarding potential problems such as criminal activity, gang activity, student unrest, and identify particular individuals who may be a disruptive influence to the school and/or students.
Take steps appropriate and consistent with a law enforcement officer's duty when a crime occurs.
Refer students and their families to the appropriate agencies for assistance when a need is determined.
Refrain from functioning as a school disciplinarian.
Attend meetings of parent groups and faculty-wide in-service sessions.
Be available for conferences with students, parents and faculty members to assist with problems related to law enforcement and crime prevention.
Confer with the school administration to develop strategies to prevent or minimize dangerous situations on or near the campus.
Promote citizen awareness of law enforcement efforts on campus to ensure the peaceful operation of school related programs and build support with students.
Whenever possible attend school functions or extracurricular school events
File police reports as required by local agency.
Abide by school board policies and consult with and coordinate activities through the school principal.
Remain fully responsive to the chain of command of the law enforcement agency in all matters related to employment.
SRO's are not to be assigned duties regularly assigned to school personnel such as lunchroom or hall duty. Nothing should preclude an SRO from being available in areas where interaction with students is expected.
When conducting formal police interviews on a school campus with a student, police personnel shall abide by school board policy concerning such interviews.

The Triad Concept

The basic TRIAD concept, which signifies the philosophy of the school resource officer program, adheres to the following roles:

Teacher

A member of the faculty and administration
Provide law related education to the students, parents, and staff on request
Role of a guest speaker

Counselor

Informal counseling of students and parents based on the expertise of a law enforcement officer
Work closely with the school's counseling staff
Provide information on community services and the law to students, parents, and staff
Program coordinator

Law Enforcement Officer

Uniformed, armed officer
Marked vehicle
Uniformed or plainclothes
Investigates crimes, makes arrests
The officer for the school community
Works with other law enforcement officers and agencies
Liaison between the school and police community
Positive role model