The Fort Myers Police Department is very committed to several programs aimed at building a rapport with young people and helping prevent juvenile crime. The agency's youth programs are supervised by Lieutenant Randy Jelks. Eight full-time police officers are assigned as School Resource Officers to the city's middle schools, public high schools, and alternative schools.
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.
The Goals of the School Resource Officers:
- Act as liaisons between the police department and the various schools throughout the City of Fort Myers.
- Assigned to a specific school and have daily interaction with the faculty and students of the school in which they are assigned.
- Familiar with the school, its policies, and the students of the school.
- Identify students displaying signs of delinquency in order to guide them away from deviant behavior.
- Conduct preliminary investigations when necessary at their assigned school.
- Educate the students on police and their role in society, laws, criminal justice systems, career opportunities in law enforcement and drug education.
- Help maintain a safe learning environment at each school campus.
- Help prevent juvenile crime.
Most importantly, the SRO’s interact with students in the classroom, at sporting events and other extracurricular activities, and are available for counseling sessions.
The primary responsibility is Law Enforcement, which includes the following:
- Deterring trespassing and other criminal activity through high visibility
- Developing campus security plans
- Conducting criminal investigations
- Taking enforcement action
Besides being an active high profile law enforcement officer, the SRO is a resource for students, parents, teachers and administration regarding law issues.
Why do we need SRO’s?
Any time an officer is in an area, that officer’s presence alone will usually deter wrong behavior. By addressing issues together and proactively we become increasingly effective.
Throughout the United States each year, over 200,000 violent crimes occur on school property. Every day in the US, 60 teachers are assaulted, and it is estimated that about 100,000 guns are brought to school each day.
An SRO should be 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. We understand that the future of youth is in our hands.
The Fort Myers Police Department is very committed to several programs aimed at building a rapport with young people and helping prevent juvenile crime. The agency's youth programs are supervised by Lieutenant Randy Jelks. Eight full-time police officers are assigned as School Resource Officers to the city's middle schools, public high schools, and alternative schools.
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.
The Goals of the School Resource Officers:
- Act as liaisons between the police department and the various schools throughout the City of Fort Myers.
- Assigned to a specific school and have daily interaction with the faculty and students of the school in which they are assigned.
- Familiar with the school, its policies, and the students of the school.
- Identify students displaying signs of delinquency in order to guide them away from deviant behavior.
- Conduct preliminary investigations when necessary at their assigned school.
- Educate the students on police and their role in society, laws, criminal justice systems, career opportunities in law enforcement and drug education.
- Help maintain a safe learning environment at each school campus.
- Help prevent juvenile crime.
Most importantly, the SRO’s interact with students in the classroom, at sporting events and other extracurricular activities, and are available for counseling sessions.
The primary responsibility is Law Enforcement, which includes the following:
- Deterring trespassing and other criminal activity through high visibility
- Developing campus security plans
- Conducting criminal investigations
- Taking enforcement action
Besides being an active high profile law enforcement officer, the SRO is a resource for students, parents, teachers and administration regarding law issues.
Why do we need SRO’s?
Any time an officer is in an area, that officer’s presence alone will usually deter wrong behavior. By addressing issues together and proactively we become increasingly effective.
Throughout the United States each year, over 200,000 violent crimes occur on school property. Every day in the US, 60 teachers are assaulted, and it is estimated that about 100,000 guns are brought to school each day.
An SRO should be 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. We understand that the future of youth is in our hands.