School Resource Officer (SRO)

School Resource Officers provide consistent and readily available police support for various K-thru-12 schools within the City of Milwaukie.

The SRO works in collaboration with school administrators, teachers and other faculty, and with parents to hold accountable children demonstrating disruptive behavior, criminal activity, and general at-risk conduct.

In addition, the SRO position allows positive interactions between children and police. Approximately one quarter of the city’s population is in the school environment. Our children deserve representation and the means to receive assistance when it is needed.

Sometimes children are victims of crime in their own homes. Occasionally a child becomes a victim of crime before, during, or after school.

As the SRO and students get to know each other in the school environment, a comfort zone develops.
Children often confide in the SRO, feeling enabled to report having been a victim of crime.

Examples of crimes children have experienced in the community include, but are not limited to:

• physical and sexual abuse
• intimidation
• domestic abuse
• child abuse
• theft
• menacing
• exposure to drugs and alcohol
• harassment

  School Resource Officers are responsible for investigating crimes occurring in the school environment. Their job also entails teaching various subjects in school classes, attending sporting and school-related social events, and the occasional citizen assist with vehicle problems.

  Occasionally a parent voices concern upon seeing a police officer assigned to the school, fearing perhaps the school is a violent place. In truth, having a police officer assigned to a school is preventative maintenance, not unlike the concept of fire alarms.

  Fire alarms are standard equipment required in all schools and other public buildings. If you have any questions about the School Resource Officer program, or wish to contact the current SRO, you may call the Milwaukie Police Department at 503-786-7400, or send E-mail correspondence, care of SRO to police@milwaukieoregon.gov .