RPS School Resource Officer (SRO) Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Value Statement
The Ridgewood Public School District is committed to ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for all students, staff, and community members. The School Resource Officer (SRO) program, in partnership with the Ridgewood Police Department, promotes safety, builds trust, and addresses potential security concerns through collaboration and proactive engagement.

Purpose
The SRO program aims to enhance security within Ridgewood Public Schools and to foster positive relationships among students, staff, and law enforcement. 

Mission
The SRO program's mission is to provide a safe school environment, with officers acting as a resource for students, staff, and school administration while implementing strategies that address safety concerns and encourage responsible behavior.

Program Overview and Legal Compliance
This program formalizes the deployment of School Resource Officers at Ridgewood High School and the two middle schools, George Washington Middle School and Benjamin Franklin Middle School. Each SRO will hold the classification of Special Law Enforcement Officer - Class III (SLEO III), as defined by New Jersey state law (N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.10). These officers are retired law enforcement personnel who are trained and certified to serve in schools to ensure safety and security without engaging in student discipline or enforcement of school policies unrelated to criminal activity.

Goals and Objectives

  1. Ensure safe and secure school campuses, allowing teachers to teach and students to learn without disruption.

  2. Serve as positive role models for students, promoting trust and respect between law enforcement and the school community.

  3. Provide safety education to students, fostering responsibility, teamwork, and civic engagement.

  4. Serve as a resource for students, staff, parents/guardians, and school administrators, assisting with safety concerns and providing advice on security-related matters.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Patrol and Security: Regularly patrol the school buildings and grounds to deter and support the prevention of illegal entry, vandalism, violence, drug activity, and other criminal behavior.

  • Emergency Assistance: Assist school personnel in dealing with emergencies, coordinating response efforts as needed.

  • Security Monitoring: Inspect entry points and identify and report potential security risks to the school administration, ensuring that buildings are secure.

  • Law Enforcement: Take appropriate action regarding trespassers, suspicious persons, and other law violations on school property. The SROs are authorized to warn, detain, cite, and, if necessary, arrest individuals engaged in illegal activities.

  • Education and Mentorship: Engage with students, staff, and school administrators regarding law enforcement topics, criminal justice principles and processes, citizenship, and the importance of safety.

  • Event Support: Assist with security at school-related events and address traffic and parking concerns related to these activities.

  • Liaison Role: Act as a bridge between the school and external agencies, including law enforcement and other emergency services.

Program Administration and Structure
The SRO program operates under a Shared Services Agreement between the Ridgewood Board of Education and the Village of Ridgewood. The Ridgewood Police Department, through its chain of command, assigns three SROs to the district. One SRO will be stationed at Ridgewood High School, with one officer at each middle school: George Washington Middle School and Benjamin Franklin Middle School. The SROs will work during the school year, including any additional days required by the school calendar or special circumstances.

SROs will not administer school policies or handle student disciplinary matters unless related to violations of the law. The SROs are employed and evaluated by the Ridgewood Police Department while working under the direction of their assigned school’s principal and the district security officer to ensure the safety and well-being of the school community.

Compliance with New Jersey Law
SROs assigned to Ridgewood schools will comply with the rules and regulations governing Special Law Enforcement Officers - Class III (SLEO III) as defined by New Jersey law. These officers are retired law enforcement personnel who are specifically certified to provide security in schools, bringing their experience and training to the educational environment. SLEO IIIs are vetted and trained by the Ridgewood Police Department in collaboration with the Ridgewood Board of Education, ensuring they meet both the district's and the state's requirements for school security.

Evaluation and Communication
The Superintendent of Schools and the Ridgewood Chief of Police will maintain regular communication to assess the program's effectiveness. If an assigned SRO does not meet performance expectations, the Police Department will take steps to find a suitable replacement. Continuous feedback and evaluations will ensure the program meets the evolving needs of the district. 

The SRO Program will be reviewed by the Superintendent of Schools and the Chief of Police on an annual basis and updated as appropriate.