A certified law enforcement officer, employed by the Cook County Sheriffs Office, who is permanently assigned to provide coverage to a school or a set of schools, The SRO is specifically trained to perform three roles: law enforcement officer; law-related counselor; and law-related education teacher. The SRO acts as a comprehensive resource for his/her school as well as providing students, faculty and staff the opportunity to meet and interact with a police officer in a non-confrontational setting. Many people, especially our young people, do not often get the chance to learn about who the officers are, "behind the badge." This program provides the opportunity for the officer to serve as a role model as well as a resource and a mentor to students who have questions or needs that the officer can assist with. The SRO acts as a deterrent to crime in the school building, on the school campus, on school property, at school related sanctioned events and in the community surrounding the school not only through the uniformed presence, but also by developing positive relationships with students, faculty and staff, and community members, Cook County Sheriff 's Office School Resource Officers provide classroom instruction and other information to students, faculty and staff concerning the law, personal rights and responsibilities, and other law-enforcement related topics as well as delivering the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) and the Choosing

Healthy Activities and Methods Program (CHAMPS) to students in coordination with the Georgia Sheriffs Association, The SRO is in place to provide for the safety and security of the school's students, faculty.. staff and visitors and their presence on campus provides for a faster police response to incidents requiring police involvement, such as emergencies, criminal investigations and, when necessary, arrests. When such incidents occur, the S.R.O. will also be better prepared to deal with them based on his or her familiarity with the school community and its daily operations.

The School Resource Officer Program is an integral part of the Cook County Sheriffs Office community relations and community service philosophy.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the
School Resource Officer program in Cook County, please contact.

STAFF SERGEANT COLIN MILLISON

229-896-7471
229-896-2213