Since 1997, The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has placed a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO) in all middle and high schools throughout the county. The School Resource Officer program is a nationally accepted program involving the placement of a law enforcement officer within the educational environment. In addition to providing law enforcement presence at the schools, SRO’s are role models for the students. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office currently has seventeen deputies assigned to the School Resource Officer Program. There is a SRO in each middle and high school in Okaloosa County. Each SRO is also responsible to an elementary school which they render service to during the school year. We are very fortunate to have a strong relationship with the educators of the Okaloosa County and the unit works hand in hand with the Okaloosa County School District.
What is a School Resource Officer?
First and foremost, a SRO is a law enforcement officer. Each SRO provides a uniformed presence to their school campus. They are prepared and trained to protect the students and faculty from intruders, conduct criminal investigations and patrol their beat (the school). The SRO advises the school administration in safety and security matters as well as lending their expertise in law related issues. Our SRO’s also provide security for after-school events for their assigned schools.
Secondly, SRO’s are counselors. Each SRO has gained a wealth of information over his or her career, which is shared with the students, their parents and the school’s staff. They offer advice in law-related matters as well as resources for virtually any need a person might have. Each school and individual student has different needs, but the SRO is there to help any way necessary.
Thirdly, a SRO educates. Each School Resource Officer conducts classroom presentations on a variety of subjects including: law related education, crime and violence prevention, safety, and alcohol and drugs prevention. The deputies who are assigned as School Resource Officers are passionately invested in their schools and proud to be serving the families of Okaloosa County. The Resource Officer’s motto to the student is, “We are here for you, not because of you”.
The School Resource Officers program is supervised by Lieutenant Kristin Pond. Together, the School District and the Sheriff’s Office are working constantly to implement new programs and provide students with the safest learning environment in which they can receive a quality education.
If you have any questions regarding School Resource Officers, please call Lieutenant Kristin Pond at (850) 651-7410.
| SCHOOL | SRO | OFFICE PHONE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel Hill School | Joe McLaughlin | 850 652-4111 | Send E-Mail |
| Pryor Middle School | Miguel Rojas | 850 833-3613 | Send E-Mail |
| Baker Middle School | Don Fountain | 850 689-7279 | Send E-Mail |
| Davidson Middle School | Trey Ellison | 850 683-7500 Ext. 210 | Send E-Mail |
| Destin Middle School | Faegin Willis | 850 833-7655 | Send E-Mail |
| Bruner Middle School | David Bowell | 850 833-3266 | Send E-Mail |
| Ruckel Middle School | Gary Venuti | 850 833-4142 | Send E-Mail |
| Meigs Middle School | TJ Bye | 850 833-4301 | Send E-Mail |
| Shoal River Middle School | Tim Homer | 850 833-4130 | Send E-Mail |
| Crestview High School | Greg Porch | 850 689-7380 | Send E-Mail |
| Fort Walton Beach High School | Erick Denny | 850 833-3300 Ext. 454 | Send E-Mail |
| Niceville High School | Jo Culberson | 850 833-4114 | Send E-Mail |
| Choctawhatchee High School | Tom Henry | 850 833-3614 Ext. 625 | Send E-Mail |
| Okaloosa Academy South | Alex Betts | 850 864-3133 Ext. 303 | Send E-Mail |
| CHOICE Crestview High School | Christine Zien | 850 689-7177 | Send E-Mail |
For school information, visit http://okaloosaschools.com/
