FAMU Developmental Research School Resource Officer

Today, crime creates fear that reaches every corner of our society, including primary and secondary education. The School Resource Officer Program places a certified sworn law enforcement officer on a school campus, making it the officer’s assigned patrol area. The School Resource Officer Program is considered one of the most proactive strategies in community-oriented policing and crime prevention. By applying a community-oriented policing philosophy within the school, the School Resource Officer (SRO) is able to assist the FAMU Developmental Research School (FAMU DRS) administration in providing the most secure and orderly environment possible.

FAMU DRS, a K-12 grade school, is part of the Florida A&M University College of Education. As a result, it is within the Florida A&M University Department of Campus Safety & Security (FAMU DCSS) jurisdiction. The SRO at FAMU DRS is one of the few School Resource Officers in Florida to work in a school that includes elementary, middle, and high school students. The SRO is a specially trained, state-certified law enforcement officer assigned full-time during the academic school year. The SRO Program is based on a cooperative relationship between law enforcement officers, teachers, school personnel, and parents. It develops a positive relationship between the SRO and students.

The SRO fulfills several vital roles. First, as sworn law enforcement officers, they must enforce the law consistently and fairly. The SRO must take the necessary enforcement actions required to ensure a safe and peaceful learning environment. Second, the SRO serves as an instructor, teaching classes that are many times related to core subjects, such as legal issues and citizenship. Some specific topics presented in these classes include juvenile rights, arrest laws, search and seizure, and regulations about alcohol, drugs, DUI, and traffic. Finally, the SRO is a counselor; being permanently assigned to the school campus, the SRO is readily available to assist students and staff members with personal and school-related problems when appropriate.

The SRO at FAMU-DRS is involved with various school activities. The officer’s duties include providing security at after-hour social functions, athletic events, and parent meetings. The presence of a law enforcement officer on campus provides opportunities for positive experiences between law enforcement and the students. These experiences can lead to greater mutual understanding and respect, potentially resulting in delinquency and crime prevention. 

If you wish to obtain more information concerning the FAMU Developmental Research School, please visit the FAMU-DRS home page at www.famudrs.org.

If you wish to contact the School Resource Officer, please get in touch with SRO Bryan King, Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (except on university or national holidays), at 850-412-5932 or email bryan.king@famu.edu.