Indianapolis – March 15, 2024. California Assembly Bill 3038 would require each public and charter school in the state to have at least one armed school resource officer (SRO) on campus whenever students are present. Currently, California school districts can opt out of SRO programs. The bill was introduced by State Assembly Member Bill Essayli (63) in February and has been referred to the Committee on Education and the Committee on Public Safety. The bill’s text can be found here.
School resource officers are sworn police officers typically employed by police or sheriffs’ departments. In addition to the extensive law enforcement training they receive from their respective agencies, SROs are required to take specialized, student-focused training approved by the State. Additionally, SROs funded by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) are required to complete a specialized 40-hour training course provided by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO).
SROs provide rapid response in active shooter situations, which have proliferated in California and across the country in recent years. Instead of having to wait precious minutes -or longer- for police officers to arrive at the school, SROs have already begun the process of eliminating the threat, securing the area, and protecting victims. Given their intimate knowledge of the school’s layout and its students, SROs can readily communicate intelligence to other responding officers, thus eliminating guesswork and saving time. Additionally, an offender is less likely to target a school if it’s known that an armed officer is present.
School officers also serve as counselors and mentors, and work to build trust-based relationships with their students. This trust promotes more effective communication, which is essential for identifying student behavior patterns and preventing problems.
Students who trust an authority figure are, for example, more apt to speak freely about being the recipient of intense bullying or the victim of a sexual assault. They’re also more likely to confide in a trusted officer about personal issues, like domestic violence that may be occurring at home.
These dedicated officers ultimately contribute to a positive educational experience. “A school environment devoid of crime and chaos is conducive to academic excellence. It’s difficult, if not impossible, after all, to thrive academically when you’re concerned about personal safety and welfare,” said Paula Fitzsimmons, Legislative Director, of the National Police Association.
We thank Rep. Essayli for introducing California A.B. 3038 and for acknowledging the critical role of school resource officers. We encourage the California legislature to pass this bill.
About The National Police Association: The National Police Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit Educational/Advocacy organization. For additional information visit NationalPolice.org
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