The School Resource Officer Program establishes a positive working relationship with youth in a cooperative effort to prevent juvenile delinquency and assist in student development. The program also maintains a safe and secure environment on 10 school campuses and promotes positive attitudes about the police role in society.  School resource officers present various topics in the classroom such as law, role of law enforcement, drug and gang awareness and other law enforcement disciplines.  School resource officers conduct criminal and other investigations in Keizer schools and serve as the liaison officer for the schools’ Youth Services Team and interagency youth gang meetings.  In cooperation with the school district, school officers also investigate truancy violations and issue citations for attendance and truancy issues.  The Salem-Keizer School District pays 50% of the personnel costs to staff three armed police officers in Keizer schools on a full-time basis.

School Resource Officer Brian Hunter is assigned to McNary High School and provides security for 2,200 students and staff.  Officer Hunter investigated 165 calls for service last school year.  He continues to work closely with the surrounding neighborhoods to address complaints about student loitering, littering and general disruptive behavior.  Officer Hunter is the department’s representative to the interagency CERV (Committed Enforcement for Responsible Vendors) Task Force and coordinates the department’s participation in alcohol stings in the Marion County area to combat the underage sale of alcohol to minors.

School Resource Officer David Zavala was assigned to Whiteaker Middle School and also provided law enforcement services to Gubser, Keizer, Clearlake and Forest Ridge elementary schools. Officer Zavala provided security for 2,500 students and staff. He is very involved in youth sports with coaching and mentoring. The Whiteaker SRO investigated 126 calls for service last school year. Due to school district budget cuts, the Whiteaker SRO position was eliminated in 2011.

School Resource Officer Jay Prall is assigned to Claggett Creek Middle School and also provides law enforcement services to Weddle, Cummings and Kennedy elementary schools. Officer Prall provides security for 2,300 students and staff. Officer Prall investigated 211 calls for service last school year. Officer Prall is the department’s Youth Gang Officer and an advisor for the Keizer Police Cadet Program.

During the summer break, school officers are typically assigned to patrol with an emphasis in gang and graffiti enforcement. Sometimes they are assigned to special units like Investigations depending on operational needs.

Questions about the School Resource Officer Program should be directed to Sergeant Lance Inman.

Links:
Salem/Keizer Public Schools:
http://www.salkeiz.k12.or.us/

Parent Hotline for Struggling Teens:
http://www.parenthotline.net/

Nation Center for Missing and Exploited Children:
http://www.ncmec.org/

Oregon Department of Human Resources:
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/children/teens/

Statewide Resources for Youth:
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/children/publications/tpp/youth_res_card01.pdf

Gang Prevention: A School Approach:
http://www.campussafetymagazine.com/Articles/?ArticleID=236