More Schools Discussing School Resource Officers in Wake of Threats and Shootings
Monday, December 9th, 2019 -- 11:42 AM
(AP) -An imposing presence in uniform at 6-foot-5, Officer Will Chapman towers over students in the halls of Newtown Middle School, but he tries to be as approachable as possible.The school resource officer known as “Officer Will” aims to been seen by each student at least three times a day as he walks the halls 2 miles from Sandy Hook Elementary School, where a 2012mass shooting left 20 students and six educators dead. He drops into art class and joins in on projects. Some days, he takes math quizzes alongside students. The police officers assigned to schools receive scrutiny in times of emergency, as in Wisconsin, where school resource officers were involved in two student shootings this week, but they also play a less-known role in the rhythms of everyday American classroom life.
Beyond their law enforcement role, the model for school resource officers endorsed by the U.S. Justice Department enlists them also as mentors, informal counselors and educators on topics ranging from bullying to drunk driving with the goal of promoting school safety. School resource officers receive the same baseline training as other officers, but experts say doing the job well requires skills and training to understand and build strong relationships with young people.
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