How to Cultivate Positive SRO-Student Relationships
April 24, 2025
April 24, 2025
By Christina Schmitt, Anthony Swann, Andrea Trotter, Tammy DeHaven, Shaniqua Williams, and Charisse Woodward
VEA’s Fitz Turner Commission for Human and Civil Rights recognizes the critical need in Virginia for a universal plan to cultivate positive, engaging relationships between School Resource Officers (SROs) and students and staff. SRO roles and effectiveness vary among our school divisions, but promoting collaborative relationships between law enforcement and schools is a significant opportunity everywhere to address student behavior and enhance school safety.
The National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments emphasizes that positive relationships between students, adults, and peers are crucial in creating social interaction, trust, and support. Students who feel connected to their school community do better in school, have fewer attendance problems, and feel safer reporting incidents that affect safety. Building these relationships necessitates adopting perspectives that value positive attitudes, cultural competence, and a deep understanding of student needs.
The Fitz Turner Commission’s Subcommittee on Police in Schools developed the Law Enforcement in Schools One-Pager to serve as a practical guide for VEA locals to engage in constructive dialogue with school administrators and boards. It’s our hope that it will equip members with information and tools to advocate for SRO programs that:
The National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and can be found at safesupportivelearning.ed.gov
Christina Schmitt of the Loudoun Education Association, Anthony Swann of the Roanoke Education Association, Andrea Trotter of the Albemarle Education Association, Tammy DeHaven and Shaniqua Williams of the Manassas City Education Association, and Charisse Woodward of the Frederick County Education Association are members of the VEA’s Fitz Turner Commission’s Subcommittee on Police in Schools, which Schmitt chairs.
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