Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office

Since 1997,  The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office has placed a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO) in all middle and high schools through out 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 a law enforcement presence at the schools, SRO's are also role models for the students.  The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office currently has nineteen deputies assigned to the School Resource Officer Program. This school year there is a School Resource Officer in each middle and high school in Okaloosa County and the Sheriff's Office is expanding to the elementary school level. Each SRO is also responsible to an elementary school which they render services to during the school year.

The School Resource Officers are involved in the everyday functions of the school in numerous ways. Aside from providing law enforcement, officers are also a classroom resource for educational programs in many areas including: law related education, crime and violence prevention, safety, and alcohol and drugs prevention. Sheriff Morris saw the need to bring a new and innovative program to the county which is called SAVE (Substance Abuse and Violence Education). The SAVE program is designed to teach students particular strategies and techniques and show them how they can resist the influences of substances and avoid involvement in acts of violence. 

School Resource Officers are also a great resource for parents, teachers, and students on an individual basis, dealing with individual problems and concerns. Parents are encouraged to contact their child's SRO at any time for any reason. Teachers believe that having an SRO has made students realize that breaking the law has some severe consequences. SRO's will listen to students and help them in any way possible as well as connect students to other services if needed. A big part of the SRO's job is to listen to students. Many of the students feel that their SRO has been a big influence in their lives not only as a law enforcement officer, but also as a friend.

The School Resource Officers program is supervised by Lieutenant Claudia Finn. Together, the School District and the Sheriff's Office are constantly working to implement new programs and provide students with the safest learning environment in which they can receive a quality education. If you have any question regarding School Resource Officers please call Lt. Claudia Finn at (850) 609-5071.

SRO & Parent's Help Phone List
SRO & Parent's Referral Sheet for Community Based Services

Below is a list of 2007 - 2008 Okaloosa County School Resource Officers. Please feel free to contact your child's SRO.

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Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office
1250 North Eglin Parkway
Shalimar, FL 32579
(850) 651-7410