School. Resource. Officer. The “S” is often mistakenly switched with the words “security” and “safety.” However, all work to define the role of a School Resource Officer (SRO). Since 2008, the relationship between ACSD#1 and local law enforcement has ensured thousands of students' safety. But they are tasked to be more than law enforcement officers in providing security and crime prevention services. They become teachers, advisors, and become an anchoring resource of stability to students and staff.
The SROs are officially assigned to do the following in our schools:
Respond to disruptions and criminal activity
Protect the lives and property of students
Enforce Federal, State, and local criminal laws and ordinances
Investigate illegal activity committed on or adjacent to school property
Assist other law enforcement agencies with outside investigations dealing with the district
Promote the safety and security
Informs the district of any known threats, incidents, or filings relating to students on or off campus
These officers work on developing good relationships with the students and strive to be seen as approachable. As trust develops, SROs become a reliable source of support.
In 2020, Trooper Corey McCallister with the Wyoming Highway Patrol, volunteered to be the SRO at Rock River School. His experience is a rather unique one,
"I attended and graduated from the Rock River School. The SRO at the time, Deputy Clyde Harris, who has since retired when I was there and is currently the Sheriff of Platte County in Wheatland, really helped me get through some tough life experiences. It is because of him that I became a trooper. When the opportunity came for me to have this position as the school's SRO, I jumped at it. I hope to do for these students what was done for me.”
These SROs are not just law enforcement officers. They are members of the community who desire to serve and are willing to put themselves in harm's way to ensure the security of all. Keeping the youth from becoming delinquents is the primary purpose, with the safety of each student being a top priority.
SROs receive specific training in interacting with youth. They also lead and participate in yearly training at each campus, ensuring that the staff knows how they will interact with them in emergencies. Chief Operations Officer Randall Wilkison stated, "Our SROs are top-notch. We are lucky to have them, helping us ensure the safety of our staff and students." There is strong support throughout the district for these officers. However, misconceptions still abound surrounding the work of SROs.
The stewardship of ensuring the overall safety of a community can sometimes lead to difficult situations, which inevitably generate misconceptions. Laramie Police Department (LPD) Lieutenant Ryan Thompson debunks the top five:
Misconception #1: SROs are there to enforce school policy.
School Resource Officers are not there to enforce school policy. Our LPD officers are employed by the City of Laramie and certified as Peace Officers by the Wyoming Peace Officer Standards and Training commission. We enforce Laramie Municipal Code and State Statutes, although we are not looking to intrude upon normal school discipline. As such, we are governed by the Constitutions of Wyoming and the United States and are subject to case law and 4th Amendment rules for anything we do.
Misconception #2: Students can be searched, and personal property confiscated at will.
Not by SROs. School Resource Officers are governed by the 4th amendment and Supreme Court case law regarding a probable cause for searches. We are not allowed to prompt school personnel to search on our behalf either.
Misconception #3: SROs are looking to take kids from school to the Prison Pipeline.
100% False. The number one goal of our SROs is to bridge the gap between law enforcement and youth. At the end of the day, it's building relationships and keeping everyone safe.
Misconception #4: The presence of officers in a school means there is a problem at the school.
No. The SROs are there to prevent problems at school. We are there to build relationships and ensure the safety of all.
Misconception #5: SROs are unapproachable.
Please approach us. We are human, just like you, and we do this job to serve our community. We volunteered to be SROs, to be in the schools, and interact with children and young adults, and we enjoy doing so.
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