Who is partially responsible for the safety of school campuses? The most often response one might hear is the SRO. But who “what is an SRO”. Generally, an SRO (School Resource Officer) is a sworn in police officer who works either full time or part time in a school setting. Being able to protect and build relationships with the students is the main goal of these officers. At Hillsboro High School, most, if not all students have a positive relationship with the officers here. These officers work hard to build trust and bonds with the students.

Their office is always open to any student that needs help with something. Now, they may not be human calculators or science experts, but they love to hang out and talk about life.

The Hillsboro Globe interviewed our schools SROs, Officer Diamond and Officer Kerrigan. These two are the main School officers for Hillsboro, according to them, they love socializing and making friends with the students and staff. Their favorite part about the job is building relationships with students and making them feel like they are welcomed. “It’s not regular policing,” said Officer Diamond the interview. SRO responsibilities should be driven by the social-emotional lives of students, focused on supporting children and adolescents in developing skills in problem-solving, decision making, goal setting, resilience, and emotional regulation. SROs should engage, affirm, and nurture students, acting as a teacher and guide, and not in a disciplinary capacity.

What is the difference between an SRO and a regular cop? An SRO usually follows school policy when it comes to disciplinary actions that happen on school property. They do not interfere with school Administration, rather they aid it. A regular police officer responds to calls and ensures public safety, a SRO’s priority is strictly students and staff.

Being an SRO is a great life experience for the officers and the children. Being able to learn from the officers and sometimes the officers learn from the children. Whether it be from learning the slang of the students or maybe even some dance moves. By watching and observing the SRO’S here at school I can see the impact they have on the students and the community itself.