A 2015 incident in South Carolina drew widespread attention when school resource officer Ben Fields was captured on video slamming a student across a classroom, sparking public concern. That same year, Lynn witnessed an SRO’s arrest of a student with special needs.
“While the [school resource officer] was a support person for the student, the district should realize that involving an SRO in non-criminal matters comes with an added risk to the student because the SRO’s primary responsibility is law enforcement,” the Office of Civil Rights stated on July 30 about the Lynn situation.
These events have prompted a critical question: Do school resource officers serve as protectors or pose a threat to student safety?
While rare but serious incidents captured on video can alarm the public, SROs have also demonstrated heroic actions. An Illinois SRO named Mark Dallas earned recognition in May for pursuing and chasing a gunman away from a high school.
“Because of his heroic actions, countless lives were saved,” Dixon Police Chief Steven Howell remarked to the New York Times in May. “We are forever indebted to him for his service and his bravery.”
Most SRO responsibilities lack the dramatic moments that capture public attention. Instead, their work involves smaller but significant tasks: conducting safety drills for students, maintaining operational readiness of security systems, and simply maintaining a protective presence on campus.
However, viral incidents often shape public perception of SROs more than routine work does, suggesting the community relationship could benefit from improvement. The Revere Police Youth Academy, recently announced, may help strengthen this connection.
“The foundation of the program is making good decisions and developing positive relationships between youth and law enforcement,” Capt. Amy O’Hara stated to the Journal.
As the new school year begins, safety remains a paramount concern for parents and educators. School resource officers will play an essential role in addressing this priority.