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Teaching, A School Resource Officer Struggle 

By Milton A. Rosario, Senior Administrative Consultant, Lasso the Moon Consulting, LLC.; Author, Officer Leo Pickle's "Super-Duper" School Resource Adventure.

Since 1953, when the Flint Michigan Police Department began the practice, law enforcement agencies from all around the country have thought it important to place police officers in schools.  Recent historical events have placed a spotlight on the practice.  Let me place that year into perspective for you.  1953 was the year the Korean War ended, Dwight D. Eisenhower became the 34th U.S. President, and the first Chevy Corvette rolled off the assembly line.  Since then, School Resource Officers (SROs) have played an essential role in the modern school environment.  However, one very important component of the SROs' job has also served as their Achilles' heel - that of a teacher.

School Resource Officers are law enforcement officers who are assigned to work in schools.  Ideally, they are carefully selected police officers that are handpicked for their maturity, skills in thinking "outside-the-box," and, more importantly, willingness to work with and help guide children.  They are part of a triad model that exemplifies the vocation.  

Their primary responsibility is to maintain order and safety in the school environment.  However, they also play a role in counseling, mentoring, and teaching students about law enforcement, the legal system, and other civics-related topics.

Since SROs are typically veteran officers, they are very familiar with the protection aspect of the assignment.  And, after years of answering domestic calls, lay counseling has become somewhat second nature to experienced officers.  However, despite their best efforts, SROs can face significant challenges when it comes to teaching students.  Here are a few ways in which SROs may struggle in this role:

1. Limited time: SROs are often stretched thin, as they have many responsibilities beyond teaching.  This can make it difficult for them to find the time to develop and deliver effective lessons.  This particular challenge is increased in the case of a newer SRO.

2. Lack of training: SROs are not necessarily trained educators; thus, they may not have the skills or knowledge necessary to effectively teach students.  This can make it challenging for them to engage students and communicate complex ideas.  This is not a criticism of the SRO.  When we consider that teachers attend years of preparatory classes in college to equip them to put together engaging lessons - and SROs often get a day or two with a field training officer, it's no wonder they often struggle in this area.   

3. Negative perceptions: Some students may view SROs as oppressive or authoritarian figures, which can make it difficult for them to build trust and establish a positive rapport.  This can undermine the effectiveness of their teaching efforts.

4. Limited resources: SROs may not have access to the same resources and materials as traditional teachers, which can make it difficult for them to create engaging and informative lessons.

5. Public speaking: Speaking in public, even in a small room full of 20-30 students, parents, or teachers, can be quite intimidating for SROs.  This daunting task can quickly unravel into a SROs worse nightmare - becoming something they avoid at all cost in the future.  Especially since many SROs have never been properly trained in public speaking techniques. 

Despite all these challenges, many SROs work hard to connect with students and provide meaningful instruction on law enforcement or civics-related topics.  By acknowledging these struggles and working hard to address them, SROs can continue to play an essential role in improving school safety and educating students. 


Here are a few suggestions for newer SROs or even for great SROs who are trying to improve how they perform their jobs:

Learn time management techniques.  Learn how to use your calendar and how to "box-out" times of the day for specific duties.  Don't be afraid to politely decline to work on something of little to no importance to your day's goals.  Use techniques like the "Eisenhower Matrix" to help you sort out and prioritize your days, weeks, and months. 

Make friends with other, more experienced SROs and bounce ideas off each other.  Use a more seasoned SRO's experience to your advantage.  Don't necessarily try to reinvent the wheel at every turn.  Look for books, such as "Officer Leo Pickle's Super-Duper School Resource Adventure" that can help you with:

a. Topics of interest to teach.

b. A predesigned and proven blueprint for teaching your first lesson.

c. An easy-to-read opportunity for getting public speaking time under your belt.

d. Relationship-building activities that will familiarize you and your students with each other and help to address mistaken perceptions about law enforcement officers.

Don't let perfection be the enemy of all the good you could be doing on your way to perfection.  Don't tell yourself, "I'll do it when I can do it perfectly."  Don't wait until you can put together a perfect lesson plan to get started putting one together - or using one from someone who's already created a great one.  Don't wait until you are a master public speaker to get in front of a group of people and provide them with information.  


Don't wait to become a better SRO by chance.  Read articles and books; work with experienced SROs and join vocational organizations like the National Association of School Resource Officers, who regularly put out pertinent information to help you grow in your craft.   When times get difficult, don't for get you've ALREADY come a long way since your academy days, YOU'VE GOT THIS!