Question of the Week

Question of the week

What is the difference between a police officer and a school resource officer?

Thank you for the question! Police officers and school resource officers (SRO) are both certified law enforcement officers employed by the local law enforcement agency, fulfilling requirements akin to police officers, responsible for crime prevention, detection, and enforcement of laws in Virginia, with authority delineated by state law, including responding to incidents, conducting investigations, issuing citations, and making arrests. However, SROs operate under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the school district and police department, assigned to one or more schools but subject to the administrative control of the law enforcement agency, providing law enforcement and security services within school environments. Unlike community-based officers, SROs primarily interact with students, necessitating an understanding of student dynamics to facilitate trust-building, overcome cultural barriers, and foster inclusivity, ultimately contributing to safer and more enriching school environments.

Answer from Ralph Bradley, Director of Safety and Security

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