The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, defines a School Resource Officer (SRO) as a "career law enforcement officer, with sworn authority, assigned by the employing law enforcement agency to work at a school in collaboration with school and community-based organizations." The Center for the Prevention of School Violence further defines an SRO as "a certified law enforcement officer who is permanently assigned to provide coverage to a school or set of schools. The SRO is specifically trained to perform three roles: law enforcement officer; law- related counselor; and law-related teacher."  

When we look for a definition of what a School Resource officer is; we must look at the philosophy behind the program. A blending of the two definitions can best describe a School Resource Officer -- a sworn law enforcement officer, assigned to a school on a long-term basis. The SRO is specifically trained in and performs three main functions, law enforcement officer; law related counselor; and law related educator. In addition the SRO works in collaboration with the school and the community as a resource.
 

School Resource Officer (SRO) programs have been in schools since the 1960's.  The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office provides a certified Deputy for each school campus in Dawson County.