Safer Oregon Schools with Trusted School Resource Officers

I’ve seen some polls that say about 80% of parents are down with the idea of having officers in schools. That shows how much families care about safety. When trained officers are around and ready to help, it gives everyone—students, parents, and staff—peace of mind and creates a safer learning environment.

I get that some folks worry about having police in schools, especially after some things that have happened that shook public trust. But I really believe that if we approach it carefully, we can ease those worries. SROs shouldn’t be the ones handling everyday school discipline. Their job should focus on keeping students safe during emergencies and being there for us when things get tough.

That’s why training is super important. SROs need to learn about child development, how to handle trauma, ways to calm situations down, and understand different cultures. Plus, regular community feedback and open reporting can help keep them accountable and focused on what really matters: our safety and trust.

When SROs know their role clearly, they can connect with students by mentoring and being involved. They can help make schools feel safe and supportive instead of scary or strict.

I’ve heard about House Bill 2179, and I’m all for improving school safety. My suggestion is to build on that by laying out clear roles for SROs, making sure they get special training, and including regular check-ins with student and community feedback. I’m saying this as a student who lives school life every day—my perspective matters when we’re talking about what real safety looks like.