Are School Resource Officers Real Police Officers?

Garrett Davis, a well-respected school resource officer and lifelong law enforcement officer, clarifies that school resource officers (SROs) are indeed real police officers. These sworn members of law enforcement are specifically assigned to work in schools, bringing their experience and expertise to ensure safety and address unique challenges within the educational environment.

The Role of School Resource Officers

School resource officers have a wide range of responsibilities that go beyond just law enforcement. Their primary roles include:

Ensuring safety and security in schools Preventing crime and maintaining order within the school environment Providing law-related education to students and staff Building positive relationships with students, staff, and the community

While their authority is the same as other sworn officers, SROs focus on the specific challenges and dynamics present in the school environment, offering a unique set of services and support.

Personal Experience with School Resource Officers

Garrett shares personal experience from working in law enforcement and his current role in first response. He highlights a friendship with a school resource officer, who he still stays in touch with despite living in different states. This officer, also a former detective with a family of his own, has chosen to focus on school safety.

Garrett emphasizes the trust and admiration he has for his friend and his role as an SRO. He often went on patrols with him or visited just to bring him lunch, and everyone in the school respected and appreciated him. Garrett's wife is also friends with the SRO's wife, ensuring their shared meal time was well-attended.

People in the Department and Their Capabilities

In the department Garrett previously worked in, SROs were officers who preferred the school division. They retained the ability to write tickets, arrest suspects, and even return to patrol or detective work without much bureaucratic red tape.

The jurisdiction plays a significant role in the classification of SROs. In many cases, they are now fully sworn officers, while in the past, they might have been school employees with an auxiliary or deputized status. Some jurisdictions ensure the position is filled with well-qualified officers, such as those mentioned in Florida, where an inadequate officer in an isolated position failed to meet their duty, resulting in tragic outcomes. Other regions rotate officers or appoint highly qualified individuals.

Conclusion

The question of whether school resource officers are real police officers is further solidified by the experiences and insights shared by Garrett Davis. He underlines the critical role SROs play in maintaining a safe and secure school environment, highlighting their unique capabilities and the importance of their work.