SR Officers Information

The School Resource Officer Program (SRO) is a nationally accepted program involving the placement of law enforcement officers within the educational environment.  Each officer is involved in a variety of functions aimed at prevention.  In addition to being an active high profile law enforcement officer, the SRO is a resource for students, parents, teachers and administration regarding law issues.  

Another duty for the SRO is being a link to other service agencies who provide preventive and counseling services within the school district.  Working hand-in-hand with the principal in each school, the SRO assists with finding solutions to problems afflicting today's school age children. 

The SRO is a proactive approach to deal with the pressures that today's youth finds itself having to confront.  This includes the use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, along with peer pressure.  These situations are not only in the schools, but in our community as well.  The approach of addressing these issues only in the school, or only in the community, has not been completely effective. Traditionally, police and schools did not interact until one called upon the other.

Jackson's School Resource Officers received training through the National Association Of School Resource Officers (N.A.S.R.O.)

The SRO works with the administration, educators, and counselors.  The role each officer plays is dependent on the need of the situation.  As a certified police officer he/she is assigned to provide the law enforcement expertise and resources to assist school staff in maintaining safety and order.
Other duties are:

To investigate crimes that occur within the school and on school property;

In the event of an emergency, coordinate the response of police and other emergency resources to the school.

Be available as a guest speaker in and out of the classroom and develop expertise in presenting various subjects to the students including a basic understanding of the laws, the role of the police officer, and other subjects involving law related education.

Assist the principals in developing plans and strategies to prevent and/or minimize dangerous situations, which may result from student unrest.

Attend a monthly meeting of the Cape Girardeau / Jackson School Security Committee to discuss the issues involving problem students, outside influences, problems involving drugs or violence and other issues which pertain to the security of our schools. 

Be a resource for parents, staff, administration, and students in regards to law enforcement and community problems.

Be visible patrolling the exterior and interior grounds, particularly during the opening or closing of school and during the lunch periods.

Stimulate student involvement in crime prevention programs.

This is a question that was common with parents, teachers, and community leaders prior to the implementation our SRO program in fall of 1999.  This is answered easily  when you ask yourself the following question: Wouldn't you rather send your child to a school where there is an active law enforcement officer on duty, working with the Jackson R-2 Schools, who acts quickly to solve problems? 

While there have been some concerns within and around the Jackson R-2 School system, an officer in the school is not a required necessity.  Any time an officer is in an area that officer's presence alone will deter behavior not normally accepted by society. 

The Jackson R-2 School System and the Jackson Police Department are working together to confront problems our students must face now.  By addressing these issues together and proactively, we believe that this prevention program is becoming increasingly effective.

Throughout the United States each year over 200,000 violent crimes occur on school property.  Each year 150,000 students stay home because they are "sick of violence and afraid they might be stabbed, shot, or beaten".  Every day in the U.S. 60 teachers are assaulted and 160 are threatened and it is estimated that between 100,000 and 135,000 guns are brought to schools in the U.S. each day.

Although most statistics are nationwide, we can see the trend.  An SRO, if utilized correctly, is the first line of defense against gangs, drugs, alcohol, and school violence.  Every student in the Jackson R-2 Schools have the right to feel safe while attending school.  Through prevention programs such as the SRO and DARE it is hoped that in the City of Jackson we can reverse the trends that are hurting our youth and education.  The schools and the city understand and believe that prevention is the key and that we hold the future of youth in our hands.

All SRO's attend training year round specialized for police officers in the schools.

Sgt. Chad Ludwig, Officer Ron Styer, Officer Tim Lester and Officer Megan Houseman are assigned to Jackson R-2 Schools

You may contact your child's SRO by calling the school your child attends during school hours and asking for the SRO.  If school is not in session, contact may be made through the Jackson Police Department or you may also contact them by e-mail listed on the Officers/staff Page.