School Security Resource Officer

School Resource Officer

A School Resource Officer (SRO) is defined under 12 NCAC 10B .0510 and in 12 NCAC 09B.0313 as follows: any law enforcement officer assigned to one or more public schools within a local school administrative unit, as defined in G.S. 115C-5(6), who works in a school at least 20 hours per week for more than 12 weeks per calendar year to assist with all of the following: (1) School safety; (2) School security; (3) Emergency preparedness; (4) Emergency response; and (5) Any additional responsibilities related to school safety or security assigned by the officer's employer while the officer is acting as a School Resource Officer. A deputy sheriff must hold General Certification with the Sheriffs' Standards Commission and a police officer must hold General Certification with the Criminal Justice Standards Commission. Additionally, he/she must complete the Basic School Resource Officer Training course authored by the North Carolina Justice Academy within one year of being appointed as an SRO. A SRO must complete refresher SRO training yearly, maintain minimum in-service training and certification requirements as would normally apply to all other certified deputy sheriffs or police officers, and any training and certification required under state law or as required by the school district.

The Roanoke Rapids Graded School District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, sex, religion, national origin, color, age or disability.

The position of SRO is primarily a professional one with technical and diversified duties and responsibilities demanding the use of numerous and various types of procedures. A SRO's central mission is to keep order on campus with the legal authority to arrest, if necessary. Employees acting in this position must be able to differentiate what constitutes a crime and what incidents are school conduct violations. They must use good professional judgment in the analysis of facts and their application(s) to regulation(s) to determine a proper course of action. The position requires interpersonal contact both within and outside the organization, which requires considerable tact and persuasion to obtain consent or approval. Employees acting in this position must work toward previously defined objectives with general supervision and within operating procedure, plan and execute their own work, refer new and unusual cases to the principal, Director of Student Services, or Superintendent and/or to law enforcement contacts, and be able to work independently. The position has frequent exposure to risk situations; the impact of the incumbent's decision(s) minimally affect the operation of the organization. The worker may be exposed to danger with potential for bodily injury or even death to acts of aggression on the part of others or to exposure to disasters such as fires, explosions, etc. Work involves moderate physical strain and requires some strength and endurance included but not limited to the following: ? Lifting: Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly and occasionally lift up to 70 pounds to shoulder height ? Mobility: Requires frequent walking, standing, and the ability to move quickly in response to emergencies. Must be able to climb stairs, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl as needed.? Endurance: Ability to work in various environmental conditions, including exposure to noise, heat, cold, and inclement weather. ? Vision and Hearing: Must have close, moderate, and distance vision abilities, as well as the ability to communicate effectively in noisy environments

Duties and responsibilities include patrolling and monitoring school buildings, grounds and parking lots to deter, detect, report and stop violations of the law and/or school board policies. Assisting administrators and staff in crisis and emergency situations. Supervising and directing pupil and visitor movement. Notifying the administrative staff, police, fire department, or other appropriate authorities of security or emergency situations. Investigating student violations of school board policies and preparing reports of the results. Working with school administrators and law enforcement officials in handling serious student offenses and law violations. Testifying in court and/or at School Disciplinary Review hearings, as required. Assisting with implementing emergency response protocols to include evacuation, severe weather, hold-in place, secured perimeter, lockdown, reunification and other emergency response procedures (drills, exercises and actual events). Supervising students in assigned locations when necessary and providing traffic control and visibility during the arrival and departure of students and at other high-traffic times including breakfast, lunch, and class transitions. Monitoring video surveillance for the purpose of contributing to a safe environment. Providing leadership and guidance to emergency management teams in each building. Supporting teachers and administrators in maintaining positive school culture to include managing student behavior that compromises the safety and security of the school environment. Maintaining security records, logs and reports. Attending and successfully completing all staff development training as required by state law or directed by the Director of Student Services. Abiding by all board policies, employee handbooks, supervisor directives and post orders. Reading and responding to email communications. Maintaining compliance with all laws and district policies related to carrying a firearm and/or other law enforcement tactical equipment or weapons. Conducting systematic safety and security audits and facility checks for the purpose of identifying opportunities for improving the safety and welfare of the school community. Assisting in the development and implementation of all school security action plans (before school, during school, after school, events). Providing emergency care when necessary to include CPR, basic first aid, de-escalation strategies, and crisis care.

Escorting students, assigned staff and/or visitors for the purpose of ensuring student, staff and overall site security. Monitoring student behavior during and between assigned class periods and at student events for the purpose of ensuring student compliance with established guidelines, regulatory requirements, maintaining a safe and positive learning environment, and a safe and orderly school setting. Participating and responding as a crisis team member to implement appropriate protocols and respond to incidents that could potentially compromise the safety and well-being of the school community. Consistent and regular attendance is an essential function of this position. Required to use the Time Clocking system for clocking in and out each day scheduled to work. Clocking must reflect true time worked. Ability to work to implement the vision, mission, and values of the district. Protect lives and property for the citizens and public school students. Enforce Federal, State, and Local criminal laws and ordinances. Assist school officials with administrative regulations regarding student conduct. Report suspected potential criminal conduct to the Roanoke Rapids Police Department for their investigation. Be a law-related educator. Be a community liaison and role model. Counsel public school students in special situations. Provide security for special school events or functions and works evenings or weekends as needed. Provide a visible presence within the school building at all times (e.g., walking the hallways at least every hour). Prevent juvenile delinquency through close contact with students and school personnel. Establish liaison with school principals, faculty, and staff. Inform students of their rights and responsibilities as lawful citizens. Be a resource to the principal for law-enforcement related issues at school. Assist administration and faculty in formulating criminal justice programs. Formulate crime prevention programs. Coordinate all law enforcement response/service at their school including assisting staff with reporting potential criminal conduct including child abuse to relevant law enforcement agencies. Prevent duplication of effort and provide coordination of law related services. Ensure the investigation and enforcement of criminal law violations by coordinating with the relevant law enforcement agency. Provide necessary follow-up investigation as required. Remain abreast of investigations involving students at their school. Be aware of demographics and distinctive characteristics of the student body. Provide visible deterrence to crime. Present a positive impression of a uniformed law enforcement officer at the school. Remains on their assigned RRGSD campus unless approved by building or district administration. Submits reports as requested, and attends meetings/trainings as directed. Demonstrates professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, speech, dress, and problem-solving. Performs other duties assigned by building or district administration

Board/district expectations of the School Resource Officer while serving on campus include remaining on the school grounds during normal school hours and the hours identified for that school campus's employees, except when necessary to attend any meetings or trainings approved by the principal or otherwise required or approved by the certifying law enforcement agency, or on occasions when, at the discretion and direction of the certifying law enforcement agency, the officer is needed to attend to official law enforcement business off-campus. With the exception of emergency situations out of the SRO's control, each SRO shall give the principal or designee reasonable advance notice of any times when the SRO is not expected to be on campus during normal school hours. Each SRO shall wear the official law enforcement uniform or other apparel issued by RRGSD or the certifying law enforcement agency at all times while serving on Board property and shall make best efforts to maintain high visibility at all times when practical and safe to do so, especially in areas where incidents of crime or violence are most likely to occur. Each SRO shall, whenever possible and in accordance with guidance from the school principal or designee, participate in or attend school functions during the SRO's regular duty hours, in order to assure the peaceful operation of school-related programs.

Law enforcement actions and safety interventions include initiating appropriate law enforcement actions to address criminal matters, including but not limited to matters that threaten the safety and security of the school or its occupants, and/or intervening with staff or students (with or without a referral from school staff) when necessary to ensure the immediate safety of persons in the school environment in light of an actual or imminent threat to health or safety. Any such intervention shall reasonably take into consideration the nature of the