School Resource Officer Position Description

Position Title:

School Resource Officer (Full-Time Rehire Officer)

Reports To:

SRO/G.R.E.A.T. Unit Supervisor Sergeant(s)

Position Summary:

The School Resource Officer is a uniformed officer assigned to an APS school on a full-time basis. The SRO will work in a problem solving partnership with school officials, students, parents, and the community. The SRO will provide a law enforcement resource aimed at reducing crime and addressing issues that affect the safety and welfare of students, faculty, and staff personnel, on and around school campuses. The SROs will be G.R.E.A.T. certified and teach the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum. Some activities will extend to feeder schools based on circumstances and practical needs.

Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks:

• Create and maintain a school presence to establish and maintain positive interactions and relationships with students, faculty, staff members, and parents.
• Respond to incidents affecting the safety and welfare of an assigned school campus.
• Assume initial investigative responsibility for crimes occurring on school campuses.
• Conduct follow-up investigations on those crimes not normally requiring referral for specialized investigations.
• Process juveniles/adults who have been taken into custody.
• Reports to calls for services in schools and surrounding locations.
• Assists Field Services and other units upon requests (i.e. school specific truants, in-service school days).
• Prepares cases for prosecution, court or referrals.
• Maintains administrative and intelligent files relative to school problems.
• Works in conjunction with A.P.S. Court Liaison Unit.
• Instruct various special topics, including youth oriented subjects directed at gang and drug resistance and other youth safety and welfare subjects.
• The Officer will adjust hours to participate in school activities occurring before and after school hours.
• Participates in youth summer programs.
• Assists probation officers on picking up juveniles with outstanding warrants.
• Makes referrals of juvenile offenders.
• Makes public presentations.
• Prepares production reports monthly.
• Presents cases in court.
• Coordinates activities with other units and agencies.
• Investigates runaways and missing juveniles.
• Must be in standard APD uniform and all necessary equipment per SOP 2-06.

Infrequently
• Investigates child abuse cases.
• Investigates custodial interference cases.
• Participates in yearly performance evaluation.
• Will complete the department’s annual physical assessment.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work as a team member in a school environment.
• Ability to interact and communicate with youth in all age ranges.
• Ability to practice overall Community Oriented Policing (COP), including Problem Oriented Policing (POP) tactics and techniques.
• Ability to prepare accurate reports.
• Ability to deal courteously and firmly with school officials.
• Willingness to participate in youth learning activities.
• Willingness to comply with duty hours that are based on school hours and other related school needs.
• Willingness to schedule vacations and other planned absences to coincide with school holidays, term breaks, etc.
• Maintain a physical fitness level to ensure that all training requirements can be completely met.

Position Qualifications:

• Must be retired from a New Mexico Law Enforcement agency and be currently certified as a Law Enforcement Officer
• No sustained disciplinary actions within the last year of employment (excluding first accident suspension) with any police agency.
• Capable of making public presentations.
• Willing to work varied hours and days off according to the unit’s needs.
• Must be willing to be on an on-call status.
• Have a working knowledge of the New Mexico State Statutes.
• Have an understanding of the New Mexico Children’s Code.
• Must satisfactorily complete a G.R.E.A.T. Training Program within one year.
• Have an understanding of A.P.S. administrative policies.
• Have an understanding of A.P.S. security policies.
• Subject to a one-year trial period.
• Must meet all firearm and less-lethal certifications and qualifications.
• Must comply with and have a working knowledge of all current APD operating manuals and procedures.

For more information regarding this position see SRO Frequently Asked Questions