NCJ Number
207256
Date Published
September 2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
After presenting a brief history of school resource officers (SRO's), this paper outlines their roles and responsibilities, identifies funding sources, and assesses their effectiveness.
Abstract
Title I of the Federal Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended in 1998, describes a SRO as "a career law enforcement officer, with sworn authority, deployed in community-oriented policing and assigned by the employing police department or agency to work in collaboration with school and community-based organizations." Most SRO programs were established in the 1990's after an increase in school violence spawned an increase in Federal funding for SRO's. The National Association of School Resource Officers has classified the duties of SRO's in three broadly defined areas: as law enforcement officers, as teachers/administrators, and as advisors. SRO's responsibilities under each of these three areas are listed in this paper. Federal grants for SRO's are awarded through the COPS in Schools program and are limited to $125,000 per officer over a 3-year period. Funds are also provided for training and technical assistance. Evaluations of SRO programs have thus far found student and staff satisfaction with and feelings of increased safety under SRO's; and one study has shown a reduction in student suspensions, weapons possession, gang-related activities, fighting, drug use, and disciplinary problems in schools with SRO programs. 12 references and 4 resources