The School Safety Officer: The School Safety Officer: Roles and ResponsibilitiesRoles and Responsibilities

School Safety Officer Training CourseSchool Safety Officer Training Course

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Course Learning GoalCourse 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 ProgramsTypes 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 ProgramsHistory 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.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 ConceptBasic SSO Triad Concept

• Consultant & FacilitatorConsultant & Facilitator

• Mentoring & Communicator Mentoring & Communicator

• Investigate & EnforcementInvestigate & Enforcement

The SSO as Consultant & FacilitatorThe 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 & CommunicatorThe 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 & CommunicatorThe 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 & CommunicatorThe 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 & EnforcerInvestigator & Enforcer Uniformed officer ? SSO vehicle(s) ? Plainclothes v. uniform Investigates incidents,

makes proper referrals School becomes the

“district” or “beat”

Investigator & EnforcerInvestigator & Enforcer

• Works with law enforcement agencies• Liaison between school other community

components• Positive role model• Truly, a very diverse position

The SSO as a ResourceThe 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 ResourceThe SSO as a Resource

A resource to law enforcement:– communication with other agencies– access to students– campus security – intelligence

The SSO as a ResourceThe 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 ProgramGoals 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 ProgramGoals 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 ResponsibilitiesRoles and Responsibilities

Work closely with school administration & SROs

Provide a program of safety-related education

Act as a liaisonGather intelligence informationTakes 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 ProgramBenefits 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 ProgramBenefits 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 MethodsCommon SSO MethodsReactive Methods

Reporting procedures, incident reportsArrests Crisis InterventionResponse to calls

Progressive SSO MethodsProgressive SSO Methods

Proactive MethodsPrevention through involvementPosters and announcementsCrime Watch, HotlinesInformantsSchool ClubsPositive Role Model

Introduction and OrientationIntroduction 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 InvolvedBecome 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 What are the two most important lessons you have important lessons you have

learned from this component?learned from this component?

The EndAlways look out for number one......

but don’t step in number two.

Rodney Dangerfield