The program has around for several years. 
Frederick, Md (KM) A discussion about the School Resource Officer program is scheduled for next week by the Frederick County Board of Education. Under the program, police officers are assigned to schools to provide security, and develop a relationship with students and the community.
Board of Ed President Brad Young says no decision will be made on the future of the program. “I’ve been on the Board now for ten years, and I have never in ten years heard one complaint about the SRO program or anything that has happened in our schools in that time period,” he says.
The program has been around for several years. Young says deputies from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office are assigned as School Resource Officers at the county’s 10 high schools. The Frederick Police Department has six officers who work at the elementary and middle schools in the city limits.
He says placing officers in schools is a requirement under state law.
In addition to helping keep schools safe, Young says the School Resource Officer program gives students confidence in interacting with the police. “And I think we have great officers in each of the schools that build the trust and continuity with the students that are there so that when situations are going on, the students do feel comfortable approaching the SRO and sharing their concerns so it can be investigated,” he says.
Also, Young says the officers are there if an incident happens in school. “A number of years ago, there was a student that ended up badly assaulting a teacher in the classroom at one of our high schools,” he says. “And, fortunately, the SRO was in the building and was able to respond very quickly. Whereas, if that had not the case, we would have to call the police, and it probably would have taken ten-minutes for an officer to get the building.”
The meeting where the School Board is expected to discuss the School Resource Officer program will be held on Wednesday, July 8th starting at 3:00 PM.
By Kevin McManus