School Resource Officer Program Evaluated by WCPSS, Strengths and Areas for Growth Highlighted

Program spanning elementary, middle, and high schools, serves 80 schools and aims to ensure officers are focused on school safety rather than student discipline.

Holly Springs, NC, Feb. 11, 2025 — Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) has recently completed an evaluation of its School Resource Officer (SRO) program, which involves 79 officers serving 80 schools in collaboration with 11 different law enforcement agencies. The program, which spans elementary, middle, and high schools, aims to ensure that SROs are focused on school safety rather than student discipline.

The evaluation, conducted through surveys collected from both school administrators and SROs themselves, highlighted strong positive feedback while also identifying areas for improvement. "Most SROs scored well on their evaluations, showing improvements in key areas compared to the previous semester." The data showed progress in relationship-building with students and staff, increased visibility, and more effective response times to incidents.

To serve in WCPSS, SROs must meet strict qualifications, including completing Basic School Resource Officer training approved by the North Carolina Justice Academy and undergoing additional training in de-escalation tactics, crisis intervention, and adolescent behavior. They are also expected to engage in ongoing professional development and adhere to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that defines their roles and limitations.

While administrators provided strong feedback, concerns were raised about the limited input from students and families in the evaluation process. The district is now considering steps to expand feedback mechanisms. "Most evaluations come from school staff, but student and family input is limited." One proposed initiative includes displaying QR codes throughout schools, allowing students to submit feedback on their experiences with SROs.

Additionally, the report noted a need for more comprehensive and transparent reporting to the school board. "The board requested a formalized report incorporating student and parent feedback, detailed qualitative assessments, and more transparency on how complaints are handled and resolved."

Moving forward, WCPSS aims to enhance SRO training, emphasizing student engagement, crisis intervention, and de-escalation techniques. Future evaluations may also track response times more closely to measure efficiency in handling school emergencies.

The program remains a key element of school safety in Wake County, with district leaders committed to refining the initiative to better serve students, staff, and the community. "The SRO program is generally well-received, with positive evaluation trends." However, ongoing adjustments will ensure that both safety and trust remain priorities in Wake County schools.