Hackensack School's Resource Officers

                                                         Police and Schools Working Together

History of the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program in the United States: 

The SRO Program began in the late 1950’s in Flint, Michigan. Officers had set a goal to improve their relationship with the youth in their community. Officer were assigned to the school district full time to serve as counselors and teachers. The first task of the police officers was to determine their acceptance in the schools based on the students’ attitudes toward law enforcement. The first year of this program was deemed a great success and was well received by School Board officials, principals, teachers, parents, and most importantly, the students themselves. The Flint Michigan School Resource Officer Program was nationally recognized in 1973, and has since become the model program across North America.

History of the School Resource Office (SRO) Program in Hackensack, New Jersey: 

The School resource Officer Program began in Hackensack in the year of 1982 with the governing body, along with the police department, board of education, and the support of the community, all working together as a family. This family recognized a problem with security at the High School. The police department, working with the board of education, decided to assign a police officer to the Hackensack High School within six months of conception, the Hackensack School Resource Officer Program proved to be a huge success by providing a greater sense of security, allowing the students and staff to enjoy a safe educational environment. In 2007 the School Resource Office Program expanded into the Middle School, which allowed the students and staff to experience a safe educational environment.

THE HACKENSACK POLICE DEPARTMENT    

JOB DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER

The Hackensack School Resource Officers have direct contact with high school and middle school age students, guardians and school officials in order to educate, preserve the peace, protect persons and property in the school community, and enforce the federal and state laws, and local ordinances. The School Resource Officers shall abide by school board policies and shall consult with and coordinate activities through the school employment. Activities conducted by the School Resource Officer which are part of the regular instructional program of the school shall be under the direction of the school administration. The School Resource officer will focus on the following areas, but is not limited to:

(a)   Perform law enforcement functions within the school setting.

(c)   Foster a better understanding of the law enforcement function.

(d)   Develop positive concepts of law enforcement.

(e)   Develop a better appreciation of citizen rights, obligations and responsibilities.

(f)    Provide information about crime prevention.

(g)   Provide assistance and support for crime victims identified within the school setting, including abused children.

(h)   Promote positive relations between student and law enforcement officers.

(i)    Enhance knowledge of the fundamental concepts and structure of law.
 

Goals of the Hackensack School Resource Officer Program:

1. To assist in educating students as to the role of police in our society and other law enforcement related issues. i.e., crime prevention, recognition of substance abuse, driver safety, and gang violence.
2. To serve as an instructor of law related education by working closely with teachers in customizing and designing instruction to address specific law related issues.
3. To serve as a positive role model and mentor for students.
4. To make students aware of the consequences of juvenile delinquency through close contact with students and school personnel.
5. To establish liaison with school principals, faculty, and students.
6. To establish and maintain liaisons with other school resource officers in the county and state assigned to campuses in the public schools.
7. To inform the students of their rights and responsibility as lawful citizens.
8. To provide information and input to school-based student service professionals and schools staff members to help plan to meet the needs of property.
9. To act as a liaison resource to the principal in investigating criminal law violations occurring in the school or on school property.
10. To formulate educational Crime prevention programs to reduce the opportunity fro crime against person and property in the schools.
11. To participate in the Parent-Teacher-Student Association meetings as requested.

School Resource Officers are Employees of the City:

The School Resource Officers are assigned to the High School and Middle School on a full-time basis and be looked upon as a member of the school faculty. However, the police officer assigned remains an employee of the city and its police department. The SRO shall remain subject to all rules and regulations of the police department and shall not be considered an employee of the Hackensack School System. The SRO will act under the authority granted to them by Constitutional Law, New Jersey Statues, The New Jersey Attorney General Guidelines local municipal ordinance, policy set forth by the Hackensack Police Department, and the State Memorandum of Agreement between Educators and Law Enforcement Officials.