School Resource Officers
What is a School Resource Officer?
The School Resource
Officer (SRO) program is the next step in Community Oriented Policing (COP). The SRO is an asset used by the community
and the school in an attempt to address situations in the lives of students in a manner other than the judicial system.
The School Resource Officer program is a nationally accepted program involving
the placement of a law enforcement officer within the educational environment.
The officer is involved in a variety of functions in the school aimed at
prevention. In addition to being an active high profile law enforcement officer,
the SRO is a resource for students, parents, teachers and administration
regarding law issues. Another duty for the SRO is as a link to other service
agencies that provide preventive and counseling services within the school district.
Working hand-in-hand with the Principal in each school, the SRO assists with finding
solutions to problems afflicting today's school age children.
The SRO is a proactive approach to deal with the pressures that today's youth finds itself having to confront.
This includes the use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, along with peer pressure, gang activity, and sex. These situations are not
only in the schools, but in the community as well. The approach of addressing these issues only in the school, or only in the
community, has not been completely effective. Traditionally, police and schools did not interact until one called upon the other.
SROs in Boone County
Starting in November of 2002 the Boone County Sheriff’s Department was granted funding from the COPS program to start an SRO program with two officers. After completing a 40 hour basic SRO training and a two day federal training seminar as required by the grant the two new officers were placed in the four Columbia public elementary schools located in the county and the Harrisburg School district.
After the programs first year, the DARE and SRO programs were combined into one unit.
The officers were cross trained in the DARE and SRO programs. As of 2005, the Boone County
Sheriff’s Department has 4 officers assigned to schools within Boone County.
The SRO/DARE officers spend the full shift working in their assigned schools.
Each officer conducts classroom instruction to students, training to teachers and other
school staff, counseling to students, parents, taking enforcement action when necessary
under the Safe Schools Act and teaches the DARE program and other safety
and law related topics. During the summer the SROs work in a variety of areas,
bike patrol, crime prevention programs, explorer post activities,
neighborhood watch program, and D.A.R.E. camp.
Why are officers in Schools?
SRO in schools is not a new idea but one from the 1950s originally
put in practice to curb youth crime. The SRO program has evolved into an effective
link between the community and law enforcement. Officers have contact with the
youth of the community building trust, respect, and social responsibility over time.
What do SROs do in the School?
The SRO works with administration, educators, and counselors to provide other
resources and options. The officers are able to help identify at risk youth and
assist with intervention before serious problems occur. Teach about school staff and students
on Law, Personal safety, and Drug awareness. The SROs are also able to make arrests when needed keeping
a safe and worry free learning environment.
The Basic Duties for the SRO are:
- To investigate crimes that occur within the school and on school property.
- To create a positive role model for students and to create a link between law enforcement and the students.
- Teach and counsel students and staff in areas related to law enforcement.
- To assist other agencies involving child related incidents.
- To be a resource for parents, staff, administration, and students in regards to law enforcement and community problems.
- The SRO has become a valuable asset to the department, school district, and the community.
Boone County Sheriff's Department SROs
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Deputy Dietzel |
Deputy James |
Deputy Perkins |
Deputy Fowler |
|---|
- Hallsville
R-IV School District
|
- Sturgeon
R-V School District
|
- Harrisburg
R-VIII School District
|
- Ashland
Southern Boone R-1
|
How can I contact my child's SRO?
The best method is to contact your child's school and ask for the School Resource Officer.
If the officer is not working at that time you may leave a message for the officer or contact
the Boone County Sheriff’s Department at 573-875-1111. If you have an emergency contact 911
for all locations within Boone County.
Additional information about School Resource Officers:
Missouri School Resource Officers Association
National Association of School Resource Officers
D.A.R.E. Program
History of D.A.R.E
D.A.R.E.—Drug Abuse Resistance Education is a preventative program originally
developed in 1983 by the Los Angeles Police Department. D.A.R.E. is a combined effort
of local schools and law enforcement agencies. Over 4,500 agencies in all 50 states
and 7 countries have adopted this program to help combat drug 
abuse in their communities.
The program has recently undergone a revamp of the curriculum designed to help
children become better decision makers through the 9-week course. Each year D.A.R.E.
elementary curriculum is taught to over 5.5 million children in over 250,000 classrooms.
There are over 16,000 police officers certified to teach D.A.R.E. throughout the United
States and the world. The D.A.R.E. program is now the largest and most successful drug
prevention program in the United States. In a recent Gallup survey of students who have
completed the D.A.R.E. program, more than 90% believe the D.A.R.E. program provided them
with skills to avoid drugs and alcohol.
The Purpose of D.A.R.E
D.A.R.E. is a new approach to educating young people. Based on recent research,
the traditional tactics that preach the harm of drugs are de-emphasized. Kids don't
want to be told what not to do. Teens, instead, want to act grown-up. Many of them think
smoking, drinking and using exotic drugs are their passport to adulthood. So, D.A.R.E.
tries to teach students that being grown-up really means not giving in to peer pressure,
making your own decisions and learning to cope with life's problems in positive ways.
- Provide accurate information about drugs and alcohol
- Teach students decision-making skills
- Teach students how to resist negative peer pressure
- Teach healthy alternatives
- Build confidence and self-esteem
Consequence of Drugs & Alcohol Use
D.A.R.E teaches that:
- Drugs bought on the street are not safe to use.
- It is perfectly safe to take medicine that a doctor has prescribed for you.
- Getting high will not keep you from feeling sad or down.
- When you have a really bad headache, you can't take as many aspirin as you want to make the headache go away.
- If you're under a lot of stress, drinking alcohol or taking drugs won't really help.
- Taking drugs will not help you to have more fun when you're bored.
D.A.R.E in Boone County
The D.A.R.E. program has been with the Sheriff’s Department for over 15 years
starting in 1990. The Sheriff’s Department is currently teaching full-time at Harrisburg
School District, Sturgeon School District, and Hallsville School District.
The Boone County Sheriff’s department D.A.R.E. program has the support of the
Boone County Commission, and the School Districts within Boone County. Some funding
comes through donations from the following organizations, VFW Post #280 Ladies Auxiliary,
Cosmo Club, PTA and PTO organizations in the schools.
Promising Results
Like any education program, no matter how good the curriculum is the parents
are the key to any education program. For D.A.R.E. to be successful the skills
that are taught by the instructors should be followed up by the parents/guardians.
For any program to be successful involvement is the key factor.
Listen to what is being said about D.A.R.E.
- From teachers ..."Students have become more aware of the responsibilities and consequences of their actions."
- From principals ..."There is a more positive attitude about law enforcement officers at the school."
- From students ..."D.A.R.E. is a wonderful experience for anyone. I can have fun without the use of drugs and alcohol."
"I'm glad we got to experience D.A.R.E. I loved it. D.A.R.E. taught me how to say no."
Tips for Parents
- Establish family rules that make the use of drugs non-negotiable.
- Educate yourself about drugs, so you can talk informatively with your children and answer their questions.
- Since peer pressure is a major factor in teen drug use, know your children's friends.
- Talk with other parents.
- Try to establish uniform rules that make access to drugs harder for your children and their friends, such as curfew, the amount of spending money they receive, and their use of a car.
- If problems arise, try to seek advice and counsel from someone both you and your child respect and can relate to
Parent Links
General all round information
Internet Satety
Drug Information
