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School Resource Officer Program
The School Resource
Officer (SRO) Program involves the assignment of a
fill-time uniformed police officer to the Van Alstyne
schools. |
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The
SRO Program provides an increased level of effective
interaction between the Police Department, school
officials, students, and parents. This partnership
between the Police Department and school system
facilitates the rapid resolution of minor problems
before they become big problems. While the SRO is a
fully trained police officer with arrest authority,
their primary focus is working with the school
administration to maintain a safer learning environment. |
A
typical day for an SRO may include consulting with a
principal about a discipline issue, investigating the
circumstances surrounding lost property, intervening in
a minor conflict between students, and providing advice
to a troubled student. The SRO also patrols the
neighborhoods adjoining the schools to ensure safety
around each campus.
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The
SRO is not just the "cop on campus."
They teach law and safety related courses (i.e.
bike/vehicle safety, drug awareness, and building
self-esteem). They counsel on responsibility and
citizenship, and are involved in the students' lives as
role models. The program also allows the students to
really get to know a police officer, and to learn what
their job entails.
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Responsibilities of an SRO Includes but is Not Limited
to: |
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The SRO will counsel students, parents, principals, and
teachers to resolve
specific problems or misunderstandings concerning the criminal
justice system
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The SRO will coordinate police and school shared
activities
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The
SRO will act as a liaison between various non-criminal
justice related
community service agencies, teachers, students, and parents needing
help
in areas not related to criminal justice |
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The
SRO, when possible, will divert juveniles out of the
criminal justice
system and into other social agencies
▪
The
SRO will provide periodic teaching services in the area
of narcotics, safety
instruction, social science, public relations, athletics, and occupational training
▪
The
SRO will lecture classes on topics such as law,
government, drug abuse,
home security, and driver's education
▪
The
SRO is available to counsel students and faculty members
on school
and/or personal problems |
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The
SRO will assist in criminal investigation of cases
involving students by providing personal information
on the suspects from school records, interviewing, and
acquiring other requested information
▪
The
SRO will handle violations of the law that occur on
school property, such as trespassing, thefts,
burglary, fights, and other offenses, but will not enforce the
school rules
▪
The
SRO will attempt to identify drug abusers and obtain a
drug assessment from the school district's
drug counselor
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The
SRO will be on campus during school hours (vacation time
for the SRO can only be used when school
is out of session). School principals will be notified when
the SRO is away from campus during school
hours.
▪
The
SRO will counsel parents concerning their children's
behavior at school or problems with the law
▪
The
SRO will provide a positive role model to students and
maintain good relations with the school
community
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The
SRO will not perform duties that cause an officer to be
off campus, the officer will maintain a high
state of visibility on and around school campuses
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The
SRO will interact with students on a positive basis
during daily contacts when possible, and is
reminded that any actions they take regarding the custody
situations must be done within their statutory
authority and not to enforce school rules
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The
SRO will notify principals when an arrest is made on
campus
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The
SRO will coordinate activities with Van Alstyne ISD
staff to ensure the goals of the department and
the school district are being met in the most effective and
efficient manner as possible
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The
SRO will keep the school administrators informed of
significant SRO activity
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The
SRO will make scheduled visits with principals
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The
SRO will keep the superintendent and principals informed
of notable activities and significant other
police activities affecting the school
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The
SRO's assignment and scheduling to specific campuses
will be coordinated by the Van Alstyne ISD
administration to ensure the best working relationship
For
more information about the School Resource Officer
Program or to speak with the SRO, please call the Van
Alstyne Police Department at
903-482-5251
or
e-mail us. |
