District 5 to Add 14 New School Resource Officers

Submitted by Lexington-Richland District Five.

Lexington-Richland School District Five officials are adding security at the district's schools.  

Eight new school resource officers from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department have been placed at District Five schools this year. Another six from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department will be placed at schools as they complete specialized training. 

“This is a tremendous demonstration of the partnerships that exist by and between the schools and the law enforcement agencies,” said District Five Chief Student Services Officer Michael Harris. “Additional SROs are important for a number of reasons.

"These reasons include personal and direct access to an officer on a daily basis, immediate law enforcement service in the event of a disturbance at school, the presence and high visibility of law enforcement on our school campuses, and the increased sense of safety and security for students, parents and the community – among other benefits.”

The additional officers came after District Five’s School Board approved a plan in June to provide 13 new officers amid increased school safety concerns nationwide. A grant by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department was used to provide an additional officer, bringing the total of new SROs for the district to 14.

“There are many priorities in our schools, but nothing more important than the safety of our students and employees,” School Board Chairperson Robert Gantt said.

District Five already had a total of nine SROs for the 2012-2013 school year, including five from Lexington County and four from Richland County. Once all 14 new SROs are placed, there will be at least one officer assigned to each of the district’s schools. 

“Student safety is our No. 1 goal, and SROs are an important part of a school's team," District Five Security Specialist Michael Poole said. "These deputies help us prevent and deter crimes at schools. Additionally, they are wonderful mentors and role models for the students and often teach classes on a number of student safety and crime prevention topics.”

School Resource Officers are state certified law enforcement officers. After rigorous training, SROs are assigned to schools where they provide a variety of support programs and services to students and staff.