Description
Leading up to the most recent school tragedy and the subsequent call for increasing the number of school resource officers (SROs), growing evidence indicates the need for (1) improved school climate and (2) the need for supportive school discipline policies and practices. It is critical, then, that we take what the field has learned and apply it to the SRO planning and training.
In this fifth Supportive School Discipline Webinar Series event, experts described the roles and responsibilities of school resource officers in light of the latest research. In particular, they considered the implications for conducting thoughtful training that focuses on SROs maintaining safety while building positive relationships that support excellent student outcomes. It also featured experiences of and practical strategies from communities. Presenters for this webinar included: Mo Cannady (NASRO), Lisa Thureau (Strategies for Youth) and Moses Robinson (SRO in Rochester, NY).
Presenters
- Moses Robinson, School Resource Officer with Rochester, NY Police Department, and Alecia Zipp-Mclaughlin, Principal of East High School in Rochester, NY, began by describing the essential elements of their collaborative partnership, the importance of clarifying their respective roles and responsibilities, and practical lessons learned from their partnership.
- Mo Canady, Executive Director of the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), then provided an overview of the evolving roles of SROs, available training and important lessons learned from around the country, including the importance of setting a memorandum of understanding.
- Lisa Thurau, founder of Strategies for Youth, closed with proven strategies for improving law enforcement officer-youth interactions, empowering officers with knowledge of child and youth development and addressing the needs of youth who have mental health or behavioral challenges, and establishing strong community-wide collaborations that support students’ success.
Intended Audience
This Webinar is appropriate for school district superintendents and allied staff, community- and residential facility-based school administrators and support staff, school climate teams, student support personnel and teachers, school resource and security officers, probation/parole officers, law enforcement, judges and court administrators, and family members, youth, and community stakeholders.