Guide to Developing, Maintaining, and Succeeding With Your School Resource Officer Program

• NCJ Number: 210651
• Author(s): Peter Finn; Meg Townsend; Michael Shively; Tom Rich
• Date Published: July 2005
• Length: 254 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2003-HS-WX-K041
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Corporate Author: Abt Associates, Inc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/NCJRS; Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This guide for school resource officer (SRO) programs focuses on recruitment, screening, retainment, training, supervision, identification of funding sources, and the maintenance of funding.

Abstract

The guide was developed primarily from in-depth interviews with program supervisors, SROs, law enforcement administrators, school administrators, school board members, and local government officials conducted during site visits to 28 well-regarded SRO programs. Promising methods used by these programs to address the aforementioned problem area are featured in this guide. Guidelines for SRO recruitment are to solicit volunteers rather than assign officers; use more than one approach for posting the assignment; and provide information about the position and screening process with the posting. Guidelines for screening are to develop and apply formal screening criteria, use several screening methods, and involve school administrators in the screening process. Suggestions for retaining SROs are to recruit, screen, train, and supervise them carefully; resolve conflicts between SROs and school administrators; keep SROs integrated with the rest of the agency; turn the position into an asset for promotion; and use strategies to keep the job stimulating. Some guidelines for training are to provide preservice training, have new SROs observe the work of experienced SROs, and involve school administrators in the training. Suggestions for supervising SROs are to identify and address potential problems before they escalate, identify signs of poor SRO performance before it becomes a problem for school administrators, identify disaffection and burnout early, and show SROs that the department values their work. Suggestions for identifying funding sources are to share costs with the school district and seek funding from local and Federal governments, businesses, charities, and foundations. Guidelines for maintaining funding are to ensure that funding sources benefit from the program, inform funding sources of program activities and achievements, and continually search for new funding sources. 11 annotated resources and 8 Web sites