Examining the Roles and Experiences of School Resource Officers in a Canadian Context

• In Event: The Role of Perceptions Towards Law Enforcement, Crime Suppression, and the Reentry Process

Abstract

A notable increase in the placement of sworn law enforcement officers in schools has occurred in recent decades. School Resource Officers (SROs) vary widely in their roles and responsibilities, as well as the overall structure of their deployment in schools. Typical activities include enforcing school safety, mentoring and advising, and educating students on law and safety issues. The vast majority of the existing research on SROs is from the United States, with little empirical understanding of the roles of SROs in other countries. As part of larger study, we explore the experiences of SROs in a large Canadian city through semi-structured interviews with 19 current and former SROs. Results focus on SRO perceptions of safety threats in schools, their typical roles and activities, engagement with student and staff, biggest challenges faced, and impacts on school safety. Recommendations are discussed.

Authors

• Jennifer Wong, Simon Fraser University

• Zachary Rowan, Simon Fraser University