School Resource Officers

Mission
School Resource Officers are part of the Community Services Division. The mission of the School Resource Officer (SRO) is to provide a uniformed police presence at school campuses within the City of Lynnwood to increase safety and security for students, staff, and property. In addition, the school resource officer will serve as a positive resource to the school and surrounding community.

Goals

• Establish a safe, secure, and orderly learning environment for students, teachers, and staff.
• Promote good citizenship, respectful behavior and a respect for the law.
• Serve in an advisory role and resolve problems that a sworn police officer is uniquely qualified to handle by virtue of training, experience, contacts and qualifications that may otherwise not be accessible within the school community.
• Establish trust relationships by developing rapport and open communication, thus reducing the barriers between youth and the police.
• Serve as a positive role model to promote and enhance the image of police officers and the law enforcement profession.

Accomplishments
Two other SROs (Dave Byrd and Bob Myers) are assigned full-time to Meadowdale and Lynnwood High Schools. The school resource officers provide a safe learning environment and act as a positive role model for students and staff.

Officer Robert Myers is assigned as the School Resource Officer (SRO) at Lynnwood High School. Officer Myers provides many services ranging from investigating criminal behavior to classroom instruction. He taught subjects such as constitutional law, search and seizure, career opportunities, and substance abuse. Officer Myers participated in several after-school parenting programs designed to assist and teach non-English speaking parents about the roles of the police.

Officer Ron Moore is the School Resource Officer (SRO) at Meadowdale High School. Officer Moore also taught numerous classes to high school students in areas such as bullying, criminal law, crisis negotiation and substance abuse. Officer Moore is the mentor of the Students Against Destructive Decisions Club (SADD). The SADD group sponsors several activities throughout the year that show students the consequences of making destructive decisions. Officer Moore helped plan and coordinate the DUI Mock Car Crash before Prom and the Governor’s DUI Checkpoint demonstration.

Both officers assist school staff by training the teachers and administrators on school safety to include student threat assessment, bullying, harassment, and emergency preparedness. Officer Moore was recently trained and is a member of the Edmonds School District Threat Assessment Team.

In June of 2007, a survey was conducted with regard to the SRO program. Most respondents reported that they “strongly agreed” that the SRO’s make the schools safer, worked well with staff, students, and parents, and provide services that are beneficial to the school and community. One hundred percent of the respondents stated that the SRO program should continue.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is a School Resource Officer?
A School Resource Officer (SRO) is a Lynnwood Police Department officer assigned full time to the Youth Services section. The SRO acts as Law Enforcement Officer, Teacher, and Counselor within a school building.

Are School Resource Officers there to just arrest people?
No. While law enforcement duties are one of the SROs roles, it is not their sole purpose. The SRO's duties, as noted above, go beyond merely arresting offenders.

What are the law enforcement aspects of the School Resource Program?
As a police officer, a SRO's primary duty is to ensure the safety of all students and school district employees on their assigned school campuses. SROs enforce the laws of the State of Washington and the ordinances of the City Of Lynnwood. Being on the school campus, the SRO is in the unique position of being available to respond immediately to emergency situations and crises as they arise. SROs investigate crimes that occur on campus and may investigate cases that involve students off campus. Due to the unique rapport that SROs develop with student, it is common for a high school student to wait until he or she is at school to report a crime. Other law enforcement activities include proactive patrol of school grounds and traffic enforcement.

How do officers function as teachers?
School Resource Officers do not replace teachers. They are an additional resource for the staff. At the request of a faculty member, School Resource Officers visit classrooms as "guest" presenters. They instruct on a wide variety of law related topics. In addition, School Resource Officers facilitate faculty requests for instruction that it beyond their expertise. SROs also present material to parent groups, neighborhood groups, and school staff.

How do officers work in a counselor's role?
School Resource Officers develop and implement school-based interdiction programs such as peer mediation, anti-bullying, violence abatement, and conflict resolution. SROs take an active role in working with students, neighborhood residents, parents, and staff to resolve those conflicts that arise.

Which schools in the City of Lynnwood have School Resource Officers?
Currently Lynnwood High School and Meadowdale High School are served by full-time School Resource Officers. Scriber Lake High School is also served by a School Resource Officer but only on a part-time basis. All elementary schools within the City of Lynnwood are served by a School Resource Officer under the DARE program.

How can I contact the School Resource Officer for my school?
You can reach a School Resource Officer by a variety of means. You may telephone the officer at school or at the police department. You may e-mail the officer at either the school or the police department.