SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS
Asheville Police SROs work diligently to ensure the safety and security of all students and staff on Asheville City Schools campuses. The Asheville Police Department currently has four full-time resource officers who work in Asheville City Schools.
As law-related counselors, SROs can provide information and advice to students about the workings of the juvenile court system, as well as guidance about processes and services. They are also aware of various programs and community assets available and can offer suggestions about programs that might be helpful to students and their families.
SROs are not licensed counselors and do not attempt to carry out the functions of licensed counselors, although the SROs perform a similar role. This role is best described as being an “active listener.” Because the officers walk the halls, they have a lot of positive contact with the students.
Because of such accessibility, SROs often are approached by students who just want to talk. This type of interaction is important. Giving young people time, listening to their concerns, letting them talk - these are critically important services provided by the SROs. Through such actions, SROs get to know their students and can help them, by not only providing advice but also by connecting students to counseling services both inside the school and in the community.
As law-related education teachers, SROs draw upon their expertise about the law. As with the counseling role, SROs are not replacements for teachers; rather they provide an additional resource that can be drawn upon to teach young people about the law. Because they are representatives of the law, they can help get the message across that there are consequences for unacceptable actions. SROs provide education resources for students to teach them what their rights are, as well as their responsibilities as members of the Asheville community.
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