The School Safety Officer: Roles and Responsibilities School Safety Officer Training Course

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Course Learning Goal It is the goal of this course of instruction for Lawrence, Massachusetts, School Safety Officers (SSO) to have a heightened awareness and increased knowledge of necessary facts and skills to better discharge their duties in their SSO capacity.

Types of School Based Programs D.A.R.E. G.R.E.A.T. School District Police Campus Security/SSOsCampus Security/SSOs School Resource Officers Liaison Officers Other regional programs?

History of the SSO Programs Sociological changes Became and extension of administration Need for more “ eyes & ears “ High profile acts of school violence

N.A.S.R.O. Organized in 1991 “Triad” approach adopted Non-profit organization To promote the SRO program and school safety nation-wide Training, networking, information National SRO Conference

Basic SSO Triad Concept Consultant & FacilitatorConsultant & Facilitator Mentoring & CommunicatorMentoring & Communicator Investigate & EnforcementInvestigate & Enforcement

The SSO as Consultant & Facilitator A member of the school safety team Provide a diverse base to consult & facilitate Provided to any audience via invitation General outlines, flexible time frame, multiple audiences Often will have role of a guest speaker –a valuable opportunity –time for questions and answers

The SSO as Mentor & Communicator SSO’s work closely with other staff in order to provide appropriate levels of support and information to students, and parents.

The SSO as Mentor & Communicator Informal counseling within the context of your training and experience Work with the SROs, counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, etc. Information on community services and safety –students, staff, parents Intervention teams

The SSO as a Mentor & Communicator Mentoring & communicating with students on a variety of issues such as: –violence, anger management –personal conflicts, harassment –drug and alcohol issues –abuse neglect –contact with law enforcement –probation, diversion contacts

Investigator & Enforcer  Uniformed officer ?  SSO vehicle(s) ?  Plainclothes v. uniform  Investigates incidents, makes proper referrals  School becomes the “district” or “beat”

Investigator & Enforcer Works with law enforcement agencies Liaison between school other community components Positive role model Truly, a very diverse position

The SSO as a Resource  A resource to the school: –knowledge of community services –relationship with other agencies –an office of information on safety-related topics  A resource to the faculty: –gangs, truancy, traffic problems, conflicts –abuse, drugs

The SSO as a Resource  A resource to law enforcement: –communication with other agencies –access to students –campus security –intelligence

The SSO as a Resource  A resource to the community: –respond to questions, comments, complaints –available for speaking engagements –seeking help and input from area business or parent groups –making presence known

Goals of the SSO Program  Bridge the gap between school staff and young people and increase positive attitudes while increasing maturation  Teach the value of our legal system  Promote respect for people and property  Reduce juvenile delinquency by helping students formulate an awareness of rules, authority and justice

Goals of the SSO Program  Take a personal interest in students and their activities  To allow students access to the school systems  To give students a realistic picture of society and striving toward mature adulthood  Teach students how to avoid becoming a victim through self-awareness and crime prevention

Roles and Responsibilities  Work closely with school administration & SROs  Provide a program of safety-related education  Act as a liaison  Gather intelligence information  Takes steps appropriate for a SSO  Make referrals

Roles and Responsibilities  Serve as a member of the faculty  Crime prevention  Promote your role to the community  Attend school functions  File school incident reports  Abide by school policies  Follow your chain of command  Interact with students

Benefits of the SSO Program  It emphasizes prevention  It responds to, and solves, on-going problems  It commits school resources long term  The SSO program is a realistic & positive response to concerns of all

Benefits of the SSO Program  Safe environment  Educational services  Networking to solve problems  Better relationships with all stakeholders  SSO contacts many people  Something for the school, the community, and the police

Common SSO Methods Reactive Methods  Reporting procedures, incident reports  Arrests  Crisis Intervention  Response to calls

Progressive SSO Methods Proactive Methods  Prevention through involvement  Posters and announcements  Crime Watch, Hotlines  Informants  School Clubs  Positive Role Model

Introduction and Orientation  Faculty and/or division meetings  PTA, school board, back to school night  New student orientation  Media coverage  Letter of introduction to faculty & parents  Yearbook, student manual, newsletters

Become Involved  Conflict resolution curriculum  Peer mediation programs  Student safety committees  Help lines  Intervention teams  Truancy  Court supervision  Sports, dances, concerts, field trips

Reality Check What are the two most important lessons you have learned from this component?

The End Always look out for number one but don’t step in number two. Rodney Dangerfield