School Resource Officers?

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 22:52:17 -0400

How many RP members recall having School Resource Officers, (aka COPS), at the schools you attended? In my small memory bank, no policemen were ever at my schools.

What created this drain on LEO resources? How would you stop it? Police officers cost communities
many $!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 10:54 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 22:54:53 -0400

Not me.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 27 at 2015 11:04 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 23:04:05 -0400

We used to have a Sheriff come to our country school and give talks to the student crossing guards once a year. He would also blow the siren on his car and let us look at his gun if we asked. That was the one time a year we saw any police out our way.

Response by SSG Brian Lovins made Oct 27 at 2015 11:07 PM

SSG Brian Lovins — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 23:07:45 -0400

Nope but that was 23 years ago, but my best friend growing up became a cop and he ended up becoming the resource officer for our high school a year or 2 after we graduated. Even had to arrest his own little brother.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 28 at 2015 7:31 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 07:31:55 -0400

CSM Charles Hayden School resource officer's are a product of the 1980s and 1990s when there was a big push to read schools of drugs.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 9:53 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:53:06 -0400

I went to high school in the early 90s...in a medium sized city. We either had off duty cops or retired cops roaming our hallways/parking lot.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 9:54 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:54:33 -0400

SROs are gradually becoming a necessity in today's society. They weren't as needed in schools back in the day because students knew how to conduct themselves and respect others... not the case at all now days. They're in schools for many reasons: overall security, traffic control, discipline/arrests, etc. I know several fellow police officers that are SROs and they stay pretty busy. My 2 cents for what it's worth.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 10:40 AM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 10:40:00 -0400

We did not. 9,000 pop in NW Wisconsin.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 28 at 2015 10:45 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 10:45:48 -0400

You came from an era that I did. School teachers and administrators were permitted to use corporal punishment without fear of law suites. SRO have been around for years and I would think unnecessary, Until we have had all the school shootings. Even now, when I see them, I have to wonder how they would save anyone from a full frontal attack. The newer schools have security cameras and lock down on the doors. The Leos are viewing the screens. You see them gathered around the doors in the AM and PM. Who would the bad guys take out first. Tough one for me since I have two grandsons in school at this time, and our little county can not afford to pay for the medical for the county government employees.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 28 at 2015 10:46 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 10:46:59 -0400

I didn't have one when I went to school, but it was a different age then. I still had to walk 10 miles one way with holes in my Chuck Taylors through two feet of snow, and dodging black bears and bee's.

Response by SGT Robert Zuniga made Oct 28 at 2015 10:48 AM

SGT Robert Zuniga — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 10:48:57 -0400

I did in middle school. Large border town with lots of gang/drug problems. However, I also remember getting my ass busted in elementary school a few times and then getting it busted again when I got home from school. That probably influenced my decisions a lot. I was raised by a single mother who had two jobs sometimes while going to college. She really did have zero tolerance for nonsense. Probably was preparation for basic training after high school.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Oct 28 at 2015 3:01 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 15:01:08 -0400

We had them for sure. I thought they were a great asset in the school. They were friendly and well respected and probably did a lot to help curb the stigma young, urban Americans have against LEO in general.

Response by PV2 Scott Goodpasture made Oct 28 at 2015 4:26 PM

PV2 Scott Goodpasture — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 16:26:44 -0400

No cops but we had a football coach with a mean ass paddle. Held our hearts while pledging to allegiance and had a morning prayer. Something has changed

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Oct 28 at 2015 7:34 PM

SPC George Rudenko — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 19:34:31 -0400

First, school districts, due to contentious litigation, have a NO HANDS policy. Staff are never ever allowed to touch a student. Money = litigation = expensive settlements. This means cops have to perform the role or kid sitting because the city/county has jurisdiction and the necessary liability coverage.