School Resource Officers, or SROs, have been a major part of school safety. In past years, Barlow has had officers in the school. SROs are Police Officers who have been accepted into specific training. During this training, the officers are taught things specific to their assignment. These things include digital safety, behavioral threat assessment, and what to do in case of an emergency.
Every year, more and more school shootings occur, and this isn’t something to be taken lightly. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “From 2000 through 2022, there were 328 casualties (137 killed and 197 wounded) in active shooter incidents in elementary and secondary schools.” In 2021, the Gresham-Barlow School District decided to put a “pause” on having SROs in our schools. Some students and parents liked the idea because they felt safer without an officer present, stating that they didn’t like the thought of having armed personnel in the building. According to Medium, “The presence of SROs in schools can create a culture of fear and intimidation, especially for students of color.” Though some may feel this way, they completely dismiss the fact that these officers have been heavily trained and have sworn to do their job correctly. They also greatly decrease the rates of violence occurring. Barlow is sadly known for having many fights, even several fights a week, resulting in a desperate need for an SRO. Previously, the district used SROs to discipline students, which is not their job. If the district makes the right decision to stop putting the officers in the awkward place of disciplining students, allowing them to do their true job of protecting the school, many parents and students would be willing to reintroduce an SRO to Barlow.
Not only are SROs available for safety concerns, but a good SRO also serves as a fun adult wanting to grow the school’s community. In past years, the SRO at Barlow had participated in the dance team’s half-time performances, fundraising, and attending school dances. An SRO doesn’t only have to be there to monitor the school, they can also make school more enjoyable. They are there to be an adult you can talk to that isn’t a teacher or counselor. School resource officers truly care about the students they work with and they make a positive impact on their fun and safety. Barlow’s last SRO was Officer Gavin Sasser, who participated in school pep rallies and danced his heart out alongside the Barlow Bruinettes Dance Team. This became a fun memory for all of the Bruins.
SROs have been a controversial topic for years. According to Learning For Justice, the first recorded SRO was hired in the 1950s. They have been an amazing addition to schools for around 70 years, and the decision to dismiss the program has taken a major toll on schools. Students, staff, and parents will all be able to take a deep breath knowing they’re safer in school while an SRO is present. People are desperate for a School Resource Officer, especially after all of the rumors circulating about Gresham High School and their safety situation in the last month. The Barlow community could help bring these major safety factors back into our schools. Together we need to bring back SROs, and we need to do it now.
