Article II Staffing of School Resource Officers SROs

ARTICLE II
Staffing of School Resource Officers (SROs)

Number of School Resource Officers (SROs)

1. The Sheriff’s Office shall provide SROs as funding becomes available—from the Commonwealth of Virginia, Henry County Board of Supervisors, Henry County School Board, or by various grants—to the school system.
   1. The priority sites for the placement of SROs is established as follows, in order: all high schools under the direction of HCPS; all middle schools under the direction of HCPS; all alternative education sites serving students in grades 6 – 12 under the direction of HCPS; the elementary schools under the direction of HCPS, at the mutual agreement of the Superintendent and Sheriff.

Employment Status of School Resource Officers (SROs)

1. The SRO shall remain an employee of the HCSO. The Superintendent acknowledges that the SRO shall remain responsive to the chain of command of the HCSO.
2. The chain of command within the HCSO is as follows:
   1. Sheriff
   2. Lieutenant Colonel
   3. Major
   4. Investigations Captain
   5. SRO Lieutenant
3. The SRO reports directly to the SRO Lieutenant.

Appointment of School Resource Officers (SROs)

1. The Sheriff or his designee shall have the sole responsibility of appointing the SRO.
2. It is preferred that SRO appointees meet the following requirements:
   1. Be a volunteer for the position of School Resource Officer
   2. Be a certified police officer with a minimum of two (2) years of law enforcement experience
   3. Have an interest in working with youth
   4. Demonstrate an ability to work with diverse groups
   5. Demonstrate conflict resolution skills, AND
   6. Demonstrate knowledge of juvenile law, procedures, and appropriate community resources

Replacement of the School Resource Officer (SRO)

1. In the event the principal of the school feels that the particular SRO is not effectively performing his or her duties and responsibilities, the principal should discuss the concern with the Superintendent, and the Superintendent should recommend to the Sheriff or his designee that the SRO be removed from the program at the school in question. The reasons for the recommendation shall be put in writing. Within a reasonable time after receiving the recommendation from the Superintendent, the Sheriff or his designee shall meet with the SRO to mediate or resolve any problems that may exist. The Sheriff may request that specified members of the staff of the school to which the SRO is assigned may be required to be present at the meeting. If the problem cannot be resolved or mediated, or in the event the Sheriff does not seek mediation, then the SRO shall be removed from the program at the school and a replacement shall be assigned.
2. The Sheriff or his designee may replace or reassign an SRO based upon violation of Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures and when in the best interest of the Sheriff’s Office and/or Henry County Public Schools.
3. In the event of the resignation, dismissal, or reassignment of the SRO, or in the case of long-term absences by an SRO, the Sheriff may provide a temporary replacement. As soon as practicable, the Sheriff shall provide a permanent replacement for the SRO.