Overview of the Ohio School Resource Officer (SRO) Program - Presented by the Ohio School Resource Officers Association

SRO HISTORY 1958: Flint, MI 1963: Tucson, Az 1966: Saginaw, MI 1968: Los Angeles 1970: Florida and North Carolina 1990: Virginia 1997: OSROA 1967: Cinci, OH

SRO HISTORY 1950’s – Flint, Michigan Goal: to improve police and youth relations Cincinnati Goal: to increase classroom contacts 1969/70 – Florida and North Carolina Goal: to bridge the gap between police and youth Goal: to increase positive attitudes toward law enforcement Goal:to reduce juvenile crime

Student Crime Causes: Peer Pressure Racism Family – Financial and Personal Stress Lack of Opportunities and Positive Role Models Abuse of Drugs and Alcohol Easy Access to Weapons Lack of Support Networks Among Family, Friends, and Neighbors

SRO - TRIAD Concept Law Enforcement Officer Educator Counselor

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Credible form of authority Full law enforcement authority Arrest Deterrent to crime related activities Provides safety and security Investigates criminal activity on/adjacent to the campus Thefts Drugs Assaults

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Primary contact for juvenile offenders & victims Develops intelligence information Individualized police services Truancy Crime prevention Safety & security Crisis planning

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER The campus is the officer’s beat Faculty, staff, and students are “the citizens” served by the SRO

EDUCATOR Educate Faculty & Staff Legal issues Police procedures Crime prevention Personal safety Workplace violence

EDUCATOR Educate Faculty & Staff (cont.) Classroom presentations Emergency response Current trends Drugs Community issues

EDUCATOR Educate Students Role of the SRO/law enforcement Police procedures Criminal law & legal issues Juvenile laws & juvenile justice system Personal & school safety issues Citizenship issues

EDUCATOR Educate Parents Legal issues Police procedures Youth issues Drugs & alcohol Emergency response plans School related safety issues Bus safety Child exploitation

EDUCATOR Educate Community Role of the SRO Community Policing Develop community partnerships Community liaison

COUNSELOR Intervention Sounding board Listener Establish rapport Helper Identifying and clarifying problem situations Personal, family, peers

SRO - Specific Roles/ Goals Bridge the gap between police officers and kids Increase positive attitude toward law enforcement Reduce juvenile crime through counseling, teaching, personal interest Act as positive role model, liaison, resource

SRO - Specific Roles/ Goals Visible and accessible Interact positively with students and school community Participate and support school functions Maintain relationships with parents, school administration

OSROA Basic Training Curriculum (Five days) Safety & Security Problem Solving Liaison Enforcement Advocacy Mentor Advisor Instructor Public Speaking Time Management Ohio School Law Students with Special Needs Lesson Plans Learning Styles Crisis Management

Partnerships & Resources Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police Ohio Crime Prevention Association D.A.R.E. Ohio Ohio Department of Public Safety Ohio Center for Law Related Education Ohio Attorney General’s Office Ohio Department of Education Local Parks and Recreation Local Fire Department Local, County, and State Government Officials County Health and Human Services Agencies Social Service Agencies Service Clubs

Current Issues Critical Incident/Safety Plans for Schools Community Policing / Government Computer Crimes / Internet Gangs in Schools Homeland Security/ School Terrorism Threat Assessment Tobacco Issues Missing and Exploited Children Substance Abuse Family Violence / Gun Violence Binge Drinking

Potential causes for school crisis’s  Disgruntled Parents  Student Fights  Angry Bus Drivers  Weapons in School  Fires  Power Outages  Suicide  Food Poisoning  Gas Leak  Abused Youth  Bus Accident  Rape  Abductions  Accidental death  Evacuation Panic  Epidemic  Cult Activity  Drive By Shooting  Playground Accident  Abused Youth  Labor unrest  Ethnic disturbance  Snow emergency  Hostage situation  Alarms  Drunk staff or students  Internet threats  Food fight  Student uprising  Allergic reaction  Hazing  Heat Alert  Trespassers  Workplace Violence  Rumors  Terrorism

Ohio School Resource Officers Association (OSROA) 6277 Riverside Drive, 2N Dublin, Ohio Phone - (614) Fax -(614) Kari B. Parsons, MBA Executive Director