POSITION TITLE: School Resource Officer
ORGANIZATION: Prince George's County Police / Bureau of Patrol
REPORTS TO: Prince George's County Police, Community Oriented Police Specialist, Sergeant
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Student Resource Officer (or “SRO”) works effectively with students, parents, school personnel and community agencies to support teaching and learning in the schools. The School Resource Officer conducts patrols of school property to protect students, staff and visitors from physical harm and prevent loss to school property resulting from criminal activity. The Student Resource Officer will work to foster positive law enforcement relationships with students and their families. This is accomplished through using Community Oriented Policing methods and proactive prevention and diversion programs, as well as normal policing procedures.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: (Not intended to be all inclusive)
Provides visible security presence in assigned school and serve as a positive role model for students to prevent juvenile delinquency;
Confers with school administration to develop strategies to prevent or minimize dangerous situations on or near school grounds;
Conducts routine foot patrols of the interior and exterior of school grounds;
Assists with traffic safety and enforcement activities in and around assigned school areas;
Coordinates assistance at major school events such as athletic events, large dances, or other activities;
Attends regular security and administrative staff meetings;
Improves security measures within the school grounds;
Provides professional advice to students with problematic issues;
Provides referrals to students and their families to the appropriate agencies for assistance when a need is
determined;
Cooperates and networks with District Station components of patrol, investigative, and COPS units;
Conducts thorough and professional investigations of criminal activity;
Works in partnership with citizens to assist in finding resolutions to immediate community problems;
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:
Thorough knowledge of the school grounds and all significant activities that occur thereon;
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing;
Skilled at identifying security problems and proposing/enforcing creative solutions;
Ability to clearly verbalize information to a large group of varied individuals;
Knowledge of current federal, state and county laws;
Ability to skillfully listen and clearly determine the seriousness of the situation to assist in problem solving;
Ability to conduct professional and complete investigations of crimes;
Possess ability to clearly present information in court;
Ability to develop and use creative strategies to respond to law enforcement, social and environmental concerns;
Ability to act as the public’s liaison in coordinating government services and resources for resolving community problems;
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and to promote good public
relationships
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Must possess a high school diploma or GED,
Must be at least 21 years of age;
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Must possess and maintain Maryland Police and Correctional Training Certification and other certifications as required by the Department.
Must complete the Maryland Model SRO/ School Security Employee Training Program
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
No direct supervisory responsibilities.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
SROs will perform work in an office, vehicle, and in outdoor settings in all weather conditions including temperature extremes. SROs will work day and night shifts. A position in this class requires an aptitude for police work and sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to patrol assigned areas. While performing the duties of this job, SROs are frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, listen and drive for prolonged periods of time. SROs are occasionally required to use their hands to manipulate or operate objects, controls, or tools; reach with hands and arms; run, climb, jump or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The work requires the incumbent to exercise initiative and discretion under frequently stressful, emergency, and dangerous situations. SROs will occasionally work near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; in confined or cramped quarters; and may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, and/or toxic, explosive or hazardous materials. SROs will be exposed to potentially armed and dangerous persons.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
None.
