School Resource Officer Program
Helping to provide a safe learning environment
The goal of the Poudre School District School Resource Officer (SRO) program is to provide a safe learning environment and help reduce school violence while improving perceptions and relations between students, staff and law enforcement officials. PSD and its partner agencies agree not only to help protect the safety of PSD’s school communities but also continue striving toward a restorative-practices approach to disciplinary issues.
SRO Feedback Form
As part of PSD's commitment to ongoing evaluation of the SRO program, the district created a new online form that students, staff, families and community members can use to share feedback about their interactions with SROs
Completing the form is voluntary. For those completing the feedback form, the more information you share, the more helpful it will be for teams reviewing it.
Feedback is reviewed by PSD’s security manager, as well as supervisors from PSD’s three contracted law enforcement agencies: Fort Collins Police Services, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and Timnath Police Department. Information may be used to inform changes to the SRO program.
2024 SRO Board Report
Get to Know our SROs
SRO Roles and Procedures
Standard operating procedures (SOPs), developed with input from the Community Advisory Council and stakeholders, provide direction and ensure shared understanding of the role of SROs.
Facts about the SRO program and SOPs
- The SRO program's goal is to provide a safe learning environment and help reduce school violence while improving perceptions and relations between students, staff and law enforcement officials. PSD and its partner agencies agree not only to help protect the safety of PSD’s school communities but also continue striving toward a restorative-practices approach to disciplinary issues. ·
- School administrators have broad latitude in addressing minor violations of the Student Rights and Code of Conduct that may also be violations of the law.
- Minor violations should be addressed by the school administrators without involvement of the SRO. In general, SROs shall not be involved in school disciplinary matters.
- In certain circumstances, school administrators may be required to report situations to law enforcement for investigation (e.g. child subjected to abuse or neglect; school-related threats of violence; crimes with victims).
- If a student reports a situation either to an SRO or school administrator, the official should listen to the report.
- If it is a minor Code of Conduct violation, it should be referred to a school administrator.
- If a SRO interviews a student witness or victim, the school administrator shall make every attempt to notify the students’ parent/guardian about the reported incident and interview.
- If a SRO is interviewing a suspect of a crime, they shall do so in accordance with the law.
- PSD provides guidance and training for school staff to respond to incidents involving students in crisis in a way that protects staff and students and does not require a SRO to respond. A PSD Mental Health Co-Responder Team, comprised of a PSD mental health professional and SRO, is only called to intervene in non-criminal situations with students when there is a threat of injury to the student in crisis, other students, school staff or other individuals.
SRO School Assignments
For emergencies, call 911.
SRO Supervisor, Fort Collins Police Services
Sergeant Nick Rogers | 970.416.2836 | nrogers@fortcollins.gov
SRO Supervisor, Larimer County Sheriff's Office
Mike Rairdon | 970.498.5307 - rairdoma@co.larimer.co.us
Program Evaluation in 2021-22 School Year
A steering committee, comprised of law enforcement representatives and PSD staff, reviewed the SRO program four times during the school year. The committee analyzed data and program experiences, evaluated the implementation of the SOPS and designed required trainings.
In addition to training that law enforcement agencies require SROs to go through, up to four joint trainings took place during the school year. Trainings were required for PSD administrators and SROs and covered topics including but not limited to the program and SOPs, as well as restorative practices, cybercrimes and school law.
During the school year, PSD staff also provided regular updates to the Board of Education.
- Aug. 23, 2022 SRO update to the board
- May 10, 2022, SRO update to the board
- Jan. 25, 2022, SRO update to the board
- Oct. 26, 2021, SRO update to the board
Program Evaluation in 2020-21
In spring of 2020, members of PSD communities expressed concerns about the presence of SROs in PSD schools. Concerns included but weren’t limited to the existence of a school-to-prison pipeline and the lifelong impact it has on some students in our schools, particularly students of color. The PSD Board of Education directed the school district to conduct a comprehensive review of the issue to determine whether to continue the SRO program.
This review included gathering input from PSD staff, students and families and culminated with recommendations to the board from a community committee known as the Community Advisory Council. The board took this critical feedback into consideration before deciding in May 2021 to continue the SRO program and directing staff to negotiate with the three law enforcement agencies that employ the SROs: Fort Collins Police Services, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and Timnath Police Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did the SRO program start? Who is part of the agreement? Does it include charter schools?
- Are SROs PSD employees? Who hires them and pays for them? Who is responsible for SRO performance?
- What equipment do SRO use? How are they trained?
- Can SROs engage with students, staff and the community? Can they participate in classroom instruction?
- Can SROs arrest students?
- Do SROs respond if a student is suicidal?
- Can an SRO question a student, parent/guardian or family member about their immigration status or work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)?
When did the SRO program start? Who is part of the agreement? Does it include charter schools?
Are SROs PSD employees? Who hires them and pays for them? Who is responsible for SRO performance?
What equipment do SRO use? How are they trained?
Can SROs engage with students, staff and the community? Can they participate in classroom instruction?
Can SROs arrest students?
Do SROs respond if a student is suicidal?
Can an SRO question a student, parent/guardian or family member about their immigration status or work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)?
Safe Schools Line
Anonymously report any issues that concern or threaten you.
Safe2Tell: Call 1-877-542-SAFE (7233)