School resource officers honored
They walk the halls on Lawrence public schools, their work often going unnoticed. But now the Lawrence Police Department's six school resource officers are getting some national recognition. Enlarge video
SROs honored
They walk the halls of Lawrence schools often unnoticed, but now Lawrence's school resource officers are receiving national recognition for their work.
Several members of the Lawrence Police just returned from Phoenix, where they were presented with the Model School Resource Officer Agency of the Year award.
The department was one of five nationwide to receive the honor from the 8,500-member National Association of School Resource Officers.
"It's a great thing for the SROs," Capt. Dan Ward said. "They've been working hard and expanding the program ever since its inception, and they've been recognized for their hard work."
The first school resource officer started at Lawrence High School in 1995. Four officers were added to the middle schools as part of a federal grant in 2002.
There are now six school resource officers in Lawrence public schools providing on-site security, law enforcement-related education and informal counseling to students.
"They're there basically to make the place as safe as possible so it's a good learning environment," Ward said. "They're there also to be a role model and mentor for the children."
In addition to their time spent in the schools, Lawrence SROs also run a summer police camp that up to 60 children attend, and are involved in a seventh-grade football program created and staffed by Lawrence police officers.
They work on the department's initiatives to reduce underage drinking and have also taught Internet safety classes.
"Obviously there are things you can measure, like the number of crimes they take reports on, or the number of classes they teach," Ward said. "But there are a lot of things you can't put a finger on: how many kids they touch that would go the wrong way if they didn't have the role model."
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esl03 (anonymous) says…
Wow! Mr. Duncan has gotten bald and gained weight
another_concerned_parent (anonymous) says…
Congratulations to the LPD on doing a fine job in the Lawrence schools. The SRO's do a wonderful job.
Horace (anonymous) says…
We have police roaming the halls of our schools? What the hell is wrong with this country?
sammiesays (anonymous) says…
Wow.....one of the officers in the video was charged in a drunk driving incident a few years back.....I think it involved him running over a bicyclist on the sidewalk.....And now he's a resource officer.....
BrianR (anonymous) says…
Yes Pogo but you forgot:Getting recognized for a job well done: priceless
Amandak (anonymous) says…
Great job SRO's. This position has been a great resource for not only the schools and students, but parents as well. The community has really come to depend upon this valuable program. It is necessary and vital in today's world.
fastwalker (anonymous) says…
gimme a break. Welcome to 1984.
hilary (anonymous) says…
es103...sorry to disappoint you, but actually Mr. Duncan lost about 30 lbs over the summer, and is in great shape.
esl03 (anonymous) says…
Doesnt look like it
geniusmannumber1 (anonymous) says…
es103--Do you know what the words "file photo" mean?
Dani (anonymous) says…
Horace, High schools and middle schools have had SROs for years. We had SROs in my middle school over 10 years ago. We had officers in my elementary school before that, except back then they were called DARE officers. This is nothing new. I'm sure our Lawrence SROs do really fantastic work and I'm glad that they are there. But the schools are leaning too much on them. Troublemakers that ought to be punished with detention or a couple of days suspension are instead being charged and are clogging up the juvenile docket where other kids, with more serious issues, are getting lost in the shuffle.
esl03 (anonymous) says…
Okay, I went to that school and was one of his first students. He was vey thin and had alot of hair. Now looking at this picture, I just made a comment. Thats all. I have not seen him since the night I was at the gas station in 2006. Even then he was a little heavy and balding. WOW! A person cannot make a comment?
smitty (anonymous) says…
Dan Ward says there has been no shootings while a resource officer was in the schools. Did my JW not get delivered the day that a student shoot up the schools?Did any one else notice that when they showed the SRO's badges that they covered the names?**sammiesays (Anonymous) says: Wow:..one of the officers in the video was charged in a drunk driving incident a few years back:..I think it involved him running over a bicyclist on the sidewalk:..And now he's a resource officer:..**Dan Ward said. *** "But there are a lot of things you can't put a finger on: how many kids they touch that would go the wrong way if they didn't have the role model."***Take notice that Olin has not been quoted in the JW for a rather lengthy time now. It seems to be Captain Dan ward, second in command, per another poster on this forum, is now doing the PR spin. If Ward is placed in charge, will anything really change? Now is the time to explore the sheriff's recommendation of joining the county and city forces. Put an elected sheriff in charge then we have a say every election term about the policing in Lawrence.
smitty (anonymous) says…
Ask Captain Dan Ward. He made the statement in the video about no shooting had happened when a SRO was on duty, thus implying hat a shooting had happened when SROs were not on duty. You really need to read between the lines or be taken in by the PR spin of the LPD. Ward was so arrogantly messed up with his motor mouth comments. He must cover up the spin better or he'll never be capable as Olin's replacement for the city manger/city commission/shakers and movers front man.
smitty (anonymous) says…
Any indictments yet?
sammiesays (anonymous) says…
Not sure but maybe some federal lawsuits........
Guardian (anonymous) says…
And in today's episode of As the Blog Spins, we find smitty still ranting about the police chief without providing any positive proof. Let's listen in while she says...
sammiesays (anonymous) says…
Stay tuned Guardian.......the lawsuits are in the mail.....There should be plenty of fireworks.....
Guardian (anonymous) says…
I've heard that episode before. Still waiting for that to happen. Still waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting. So, based on your statement there sammie, can we assume you might just have a minor connection to Yellow House? Noooooooooooo, of course not!
costello (anonymous) says…
Amandak says: "Great job SRO's. This position has been a great resource for not only the schools and students, but parents as well. The community has really come to depend upon this valuable program. It is necessary and vital in today's world."SRO's aren't "resources." They're "cops." And speaking as a parent who has had problems with an SRO, I don't find them to be useful at all.Behavior which in previous generations was treated as a school discipline problem and handled by the school is now treated as a crime. Police reports are filed and forwarded to the district attorney who apparently has too much time on his hands, because he prosecutes everything.
Guardian (anonymous) says…
Sorry sammie,I just had to throw that in since we haven't heard from them in awhile. My apologies if I have offended.
domovik (anonymous) says…
Back on the topic of the article-congrats to the SROs. It's obvious that you have a lot of issues to deal with in and out of the schools (with students and parents) judging by the posts on here. Keep up the good work. Your services are much needed and much appreciated despite the comments from the anti-law enforcement.
smitty (anonymous) says…
There has been serious discussions that would require the school district pay the city(LPD) for the presence of these role models.