School Resource Officers Reassure Community
In the days after the tragic Connecticut school shooting, San Diego County Sheriff’s School Resource Officers have been making their presence known to staff, parents and students at schools.
“We are trying to have a heightened presence, not only to dissuade anyone, but also to reassure the school community that we’re there for them,” said sheriff’s Capt. Mike Barnett.
No unusual threats have been made on campuses, but deputies are still reaching out to all the campuses including middle and elementary schools. Barnett said deputies are visiting campuses and reviewing and updating each site’s emergency plans which include instructions for evacuation and lockdown. Those plans are normally reviewed on an annual basis.
School resources officers will return to the campuses in a few weeks to help any schools that may hold emergency drills. For now, school resource officers have noted that the Connecticut shooting is still very fresh for many campus administrators and staff.
“We are ready to respond right now,” said Barnett. “We hope something like that will never happen here again. It’s happened twice in my career in San Diego County. We hope it will never happen again, but we have to be ready for it, if it does.”
Sheriff’s deputies all receive “active shooter” training throughout their career. A recent sheriff’s drill at Palomar College had hostage and active shooter components.
The Sheriff’s Department makes every effort to keep campuses safe through enforcement, education, and collaboration with our community partners, said Melissa Aquino, sheriff’s department spokeswoman.
School resource officers are full-time deputies assigned to high schools. The officers also work with the middle and elementary schools as needed.
For the last 20 years school resource officers have been assigned to the schools within the Sheriff’s department jurisdictions. They act as the direct liaison between law enforcement, contract cities and school districts. The officers also investigate drug and property crimes, and other criminal cases involving students and schools’ employees.
Deputies with this assignment also give presentations about drug and alcohol use, gangs and truancy, as well as bullying on campus. They also help facilitate the department’s free Start Smart classes for new teen drivers. The contract cities or school districts pay for the school resource officers.
Deputies also check in regularly with school administrators as part of their patrol duties.
The Sheriff’s Department reminds students that if they hear any threats of violence or even potential violence, they can always approach a school resource officer or call the anonymous Crime Stoppers Students Speaking Out Tip Line at (888) 580‐8477 or the Sheriff’s Department at (858) 565‐5200.