Elk City, OK – Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning says the county's School Resource Officer program is providing benefits that extend well beyond having a law enforcement presence on school campuses.
The Beckham County Sheriff's Office currently provides SRO coverage for Merritt, Sweetwater and Erick schools. Deputies Joseph Coates and Richard Jones divide their time among the schools, with Jones recently joining the program following the retirement of longtime deputy and SRO Sgt. Wendy Holland.
Manning credited Holland with playing a major role in establishing the program and preparing the deputies who are continuing the work.
"She was the sergeant that helped me get this program up and running, and I can't say enough about the work that she did," Manning said.
Before Holland retired, the sheriff's office brought in another deputy and trained him alongside her for several months to help ensure a smooth transition.
While campus security remains one of the primary responsibilities of an SRO, Manning said the officers serve several other important roles.
"The first reason that's on everybody's mind, and one of the things that they train a lot for, is the security and safety of the school, of the kids and the teachers and the staff there," Manning said.
Having an officer already on campus allows the department to immediately address someone who should not be on school property or another potential safety concern.
Manning said another major benefit is the relationship SROs develop with students.
Students become accustomed to seeing a uniformed officer at school and learn at an early age that law enforcement officers are there to help. SROs also provide educational programs and interact regularly with students and school employees.
Those relationships can also help law enforcement learn about potential crimes that otherwise may go unreported.
Manning said the sheriff's office is currently working two investigations that began after information was brought to SROs. Neither alleged crime occurred at a school, and one did not even occur while school was in session.
The connection to the schools simply gave students or staff members an officer they already knew and trusted enough to approach.
"They have an SRO walking down the hallway that they already know and have a relationship with," Manning said. "When they tell them about it, my guys generally know, yep, that's a thing."
From there, an SRO can determine whether the sheriff's office needs to investigate, direct the person to the appropriate agency or explain what steps should be taken.
Manning said that easy access to law enforcement has become one of the program's greatest strengths.
"Those relationships with the staff and all the administration are worth more than I can explain," Manning said.
Just as important, he said, is creating an environment where students are comfortable approaching an officer with a question, concern or problem.
"If nothing else, talk about it," Manning said. "And then if it's something that needs done about, we can address it quickly."
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