Looking at School Resource Officers in Monterey County

Although some people believe that police officers have no place in schools, more than half a dozen school districts in Monterey County employ the services of School Resources Officers (SROs).

As the Alisal Union School Districts votes on the issue of SROs Wednesday, KION takes a look at how school districts with SROs are faring.

The Pacific Grove Police Department has one SRO who visits the schools in the Pacific Grove Unified School District every day.

“Well, if there is some type of incident needing police officer services in a hurry, [the SRO is] already there. So, I think that’s really an excellent situation. We have the car outside so people see that and I think it helps with traffic and stuff like that,” said Cmdr. Rory Lakind of the Pacific Grove Police Department.

SROs can assist students with a variety of concerns they might have, including concerns that have nothing to do with crimes.

“You know, you can come to your SRO and talk to them about stuff that doesn’t have to be a crime. It could just be something where a kid feels uncomfortable and there’s possibly a bullying issue,” said Lakind.

In addition to the Pacific Grove Unified School District, there are at least six other districts with SROs. They include North Monterey County Unified School District, South Monterey County Joint Union School District, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, Soledad Unified School District, Gonzales Unified School District and King City Union School District.

Each district and corresponding law enforcement agency decides what SROs can and cannot do.
For example, Pacific Grove Unified School District admins handle disciplinary action, but the SRO can still jump into public safety mode if need be.

In Salinas, critics of SROs have said that their presence encourages a “school to prison pipeline;” however, supports say that the presence of officers in schools helps students build positive relationships and perceptions of police.

“Having a school resource officer in our schools is really prevention, so the earlier we can build those programs and develop those relationships like D.A.R.E and Inside the Classroom trainings, and developing those conversations with those students really prevents them from going in the wrong direction, ” said Barbara Martinez, Director of Safety for the Pacific Grove Unified School District

“[The students] see [the SROs] in the street, they know the kids by names, which is very helpful. I think, sometimes. It makes the kids feel as though they are part of the community also,” added Lakind.

In addition to Monterey County schools, Santa Cruz County has eight SROs in its districts while San Benito County has three SROs, and is possibly looking to hire a fourth.