The Fort Myers Police Department is very committed to building a rapport with young people and preventing juvenile crime. The agency's youth programs are supervised by Lieutenant Jennifer Soto.

The School Resource Officer program continued through the end of the school year June 2011. At that time, due to budgetary restraints, six full-time police officers have been reassigned to the Operations Division. The other 2 officers remained with Support Services Youth Relations Unit. Our G.R.A.M.P.A. (Getting Retirees Actively Motivated in Policing Again) Cops remain in five of the elementary schools within the City of Fort Myers.

Utilizing Fort Myers Police Officers as School Resource Officers in the city schools included the following benefits:

Any time an officer is in an area, that officer’s presence alone will usually deter wrong behavior and reduce the likelihood of violence. By addressing issues together and proactively we become increasingly effective.

An SRO is the first line of defense against the issues of gangs, drugs, and school violence. Every student has the right to feel safe while attending school. Through prevention programs, it is hoped that we can keep our community safe.

School Resource Officers enhance the relationship between students and law enforcement and promote positive behavior by utilizing the resources of both the school district and the police department. SRO's are specially selected and receive additional training for this very important function. The officers have daily contact with the student body and assist victims, parents and administrators with any law enforcement needs. These officers are more familiar and responsive to their individual needs.

Overall, we value the importance of the School Resource Officer because we understand that the future of youth is in our hands.

While the City of Fort Myers Police Department does not have the primary responsibility of providing School Resource Officers at this time, we remain committed to the goals of the Strategic Plan to implement early exposure programs and educate about police careers through our Explorer Program, KOPS Program, Police Athletic League, GRAMPA Cops, Respect for Law Camp, and Do the Right Thing.

The Fort Myers Police Department is very committed to building a rapport with young people and preventing juvenile crime. The agency's youth programs are supervised by Lieutenant Jennifer Soto.

The School Resource Officer program continued through the end of the school year June 2011. At that time, due to budgetary restraints, six full-time police officers have been reassigned to the Operations Division. The other 2 officers remained with Support Services Youth Relations Unit. Our G.R.A.M.P.A. (Getting Retirees Actively Motivated in Policing Again) Cops remain in five of the elementary schools within the City of Fort Myers.

Utilizing Fort Myers Police Officers as School Resource Officers in the city schools included the following benefits:

Any time an officer is in an area, that officer’s presence alone will usually deter wrong behavior and reduce the likelihood of violence. By addressing issues together and proactively we become increasingly effective.

An SRO is the first line of defense against the issues of gangs, drugs, and school violence. Every student has the right to feel safe while attending school. Through prevention programs, it is hoped that we can keep our community safe.

School Resource Officers enhance the relationship between students and law enforcement and promote positive behavior by utilizing the resources of both the school district and the police department. SRO's are specially selected and receive additional training for this very important function. The officers have daily contact with the student body and assist victims, parents and administrators with any law enforcement needs. These officers are more familiar and responsive to their individual needs.

Overall, we value the importance of the School Resource Officer because we understand that the future of youth is in our hands.

While the City of Fort Myers Police Department does not have the primary responsibility of providing School Resource Officers at this time, we remain committed to the goals of the Strategic Plan to implement early exposure programs and educate about police careers through our Explorer Program, KOPS Program, Police Athletic League, GRAMPA Cops, Respect for Law Camp, and Do the Right Thing.