GENERAL ORDERS POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: SUPPORT SERVICES
TITLE: SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
EFFECTIVE DATE: AUGUST 31, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF
GENERAL ORDERS POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: SUPPORT SERVICES
TITLE: SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
EFFECTIVE DATE: AUGUST 31, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
807.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy establishes guidelines for maintaining a uniformed police presence within the Clay County School System, specifically within the jurisdiction of the City. Its primary purpose is to ensure a consistent law enforcement presence in Clay County public schools.
Officers assigned under this policy will be responsible for:
Addressing conflicts as they arise.
Enforcing applicable federal, state, and local laws, including traffic regulations.
Serving as a resource to support delinquency prevention efforts.
This policy aims to enhance safety and foster a secure environment for students and staff.
807.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Police Department to promote a safe, secure, and orderly environment within the Clay County Schools located in the City. The School Resource Officer (SRO) program assigns law enforcement officers from the Police Department (PD) to work directly within the school system. The primary goal of these assignments is to establish a visible security presence to protect students, teachers, staff, and visitors, ensuring a safe learning environment free from the threat of harm.
The Police Department is committed to developing and supporting programs aimed at preventing and reducing juvenile delinquency. All department members share the responsibility of participating in and upholding the goals of the SRO program. The presence of sworn law enforcement officers in the schools is a key element of a comprehensive school safety strategy, combining law enforcement, education, and community policing efforts.
Officers assigned as School Resource Officers (SROs) will not serve as school security guards but will collaborate with school personnel to create and maintain the safest possible school environment. SROs will also work to build positive relationships with students and staff, fostering open communication and the exchange of information to support safety and trust.
807.3 SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM
The Chief of Police may appoint SROs to serve at the campus of the Elementary, and High School. The goals and objectives of the SRO program partnership include but are not limited to:
(a) Protecting the school against external threats to the safety of the students by preventing unauthorized access to school property and reducing criminal activity on or near a school campus.
(b) Fostering a safe and supportive school environment that allows all students to learn and flourish regardless of race, religion, national origin, immigration status, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
(c) Promoting a strong partnership and communication between school and police personnel by clearly delineating their respective roles and responsibilities.
(d) Enhancing communication and encouraging working relationships between police, schools, and students to promote safety.
(e) Securing the school against a natural disaster or other violence.
(f) SROs shall not be responsible for enforcing violations of school policy but may report violations to the appropriate school officials
807.4 SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER QUALIFICATIONS
Members appointed as SROs may be selected using criteria that include but are not limited to:
(a) Must be of moral and ethical character;
(b) Possess an even temperament;
(c) Should have a minimum of three years of law enforcement experience;
(d) Possess communication skills that would enable the officer to function effectively within the school environment;
(e) Possess excellent observation skills;
(f) Possess good judgment;
(g) Whether the candidate has specialized training that would enable the officer to function effectively within the school environment;
(h) The ability to act as a positive role model for their student populations;
The performance of the School Resource Officers should be reviewed annually by the Chief of Police or his or her designee.
807.4.1 SELECTION OF THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
The Chief of Police will identify and select officers qualified and interested in the SRO position. Requirements include:
a. Voluntary participation
b. Alabama Peace Officers Standard & Training Commission
c. Meeting all departmental standards for certification
Selection considerations include job knowledge, experience, integrity, training, education, communication skills, and professionalism.
807.5 SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER DUTIES
Unless otherwise noted, the duties of an SRO shall include:
(a) Protect the lives of the students, faculty, and administrators by maintaining the security of the school from external and/or internal threats.
(b) Assisting, when requested by, the Criminal Investigations Division with follow-up investigations that originate on student-occupied property or involve a student.
(c) Providing information for students, faculty, and administrators, as requested and when available, regarding law enforcement functions.
(d) Assisting faculty and administrators, when requested, in establishing policies that contribute to the safety of school staff and students.
(e) Participating in, as requested and appropriate, student conferences, PTA meetings, etc.
(f) Assisting with the coordination of security measures, as requested, for school activities such as sports events, dances, and other large gatherings.
(g) When not assigned to or involved in SRO activities, the SRO shall assume duties assigned by the Chief of Police or his or her designee.
(h) The SRO position is not intended to be used to conduct administrative functions of the school system during the school day. Any such assigned duty that requires the SRO to be away from the school campus during normal school hours diverts the SRO from his or her primary mission and renders the position ineffective.
807.5.1 CHAIN OF COMMAND
The SROs shall be assigned to the Administrative Services Division. Selection, assignment, scheduling, training, supervision, and evaluation of SROs will be the responsibility of the Chief of Police or his or her designee as informed by the input of the identified needs and conditions of the schools. SROs shall always remain subject to this Department’s established policies and procedures during the performance of their duties.
807.5.2 ATTIRE/UNIFORM
SROs shall wear the Class "A" uniform of the Police Department while performing their duties. SROs may also wear a department-approved Outer Vest as an option to the regular bullet resistant under the shirt vest. The SRO shall comply with the Body Worn Camera policy at all times.
807.6 SUPERVISION
The Chief of Police or his or her designee shall serve as the SRO Supervisor and shall have the following responsibilities which include but are not limited to:
(a) Acting as the liaison between the Department and school administrative authorities concerning any operational or administrative issues that may arise.
(b) Supervision including scheduling, training, and evaluation of all assigned SROs.
(c) Maintain a working knowledge of school regulations and laws regarding student safety.
(d) Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with school personnel.
807.6.1 DISMISSAL, REPLACEMENT, AND REASSIGNMENT
The Chief of Police may reassign or dismiss an SRO based on department policies or in the best interest of the City.
If an SRO resigns, is reassigned, or dismissed, the Chief of Police shall appoint a replacement as soon as possible.
Transfers during the school year are not permitted. Transfer requests must be submitted in writing at the end of the school year.
SROs are encouraged to take leave during summer closures and may be assigned other duties as needed during that period.
SRO positions will be evaluated on annual basis and personnel may be reassigned by the Chief of Police based on the needs of the department.
RESPONSIBILITIES & CORE FUNCTION OF THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER (SRO)
a. The SRO shall serve as the primary deterrent against acts of violence and maintain public order on school grounds, including all school-sponsored events.
b. The SRO must check in with the Chief of Police or his or her designee no later than 9:00 A.M. daily.
c. The SRO shall arrive on campus prior to the school opening each day and remain on campus throughout the school day.
d. The SRO must stay on campus for the entire school day, including lunch breaks, unless excused for court appearances, official business, or emergencies. The SRO may not leave without permission from the immediate supervisor and must notify the Chief of Police or his or her designee if absence is required. This includes student address verifications or responding to other law enforcement calls for service. The SRO position is a static position and shall always remain on the campus.
e. The SRO shall manage school traffic control for safe and efficient traffic flow.
f. The SRO is responsible for reporting and documenting traffic incidents occurring on school property.
g. The SRO shall remain on campus until all car rider traffic is cleared.
h. During school breaks, E-Learning days, or school closures, the SRO will be reassigned to the Patrol Division for duty.
Instructional Responsibilities
a. The SRO is responsible for instructing students on various law-related topics to build rapport and credibility.
b. The SRO may act as a guest instructor when requested by school staff but shall not serve as a full-time teacher or substitute.
c. The SRO may teach classes annually, subject to scheduling adjustments.
d. Instructional topics may include but are not limited to:
The role of police in society;
Criminal law and justice systems;
Career opportunities in law enforcement;
Drug education;
Other law-related topics as needed;
Additional Duties and Restrictions
a. The SRO shall coordinate all activities with school administration and seek approval before initiating new programs.
b. The SRO shall develop expertise in presenting educational topics and engage students in discussions.
c. When requested, the SRO shall attend parent and faculty meetings to promote the program and assist with law enforcement concerns.
d. The SRO shall be available for consultations with students, staff, and parents regarding law enforcement matters while adhering to confidentiality laws.
e. The SRO shall be familiar with and assist in referrals to community resources for youth and families in need.
f. The SRO shall assist the principal in developing and practicing emergency response strategies.
g. Formal interrogations conducted by the SRO must comply with legal directives and department policies.
h. The SRO shall take necessary law enforcement actions against intruders and unwanted guests and assist other officers with school-related issues.
i. The SRO shall participate in school functions as required and provide additional security when needed.
j. The SRO may assist in investigations involving students and provide aid to other officers as directed by the Chief of Police or his or her designee.
k. The SRO shall maintain accurate records of the program and submit required reports.
l. The SRO shall attend extracurricular school events requiring security presence.
m. The SRO shall not serve as a school disciplinarian but may assist in incidents involving legal violations at the principal's request.
n. The SRO is prohibited from non-school-related fraternization with students and must report any outside communication with students related to school matters.
o. The SRO may travel outside city jurisdiction for student-related duties but must coordinate with local law enforcement in those areas.
p. The SRO shall participate in campus security assessments and serve as the point of contact for safety training hosted on school grounds.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.