The Role and Impact of School Resource Officers

The number of school resource officers (SROs) has increased substantially over the past several decades. Proponents of SROs argue that they play a crucial role in improving school safety. However, critics argue that SROs' presence in schools contributes to high rates of disciplinary actions by school administration and referrals to the juvenile justice system.

This brief paper explores the role of SROs and the impact of SROs on school safety and discipline. While SRO presence is associated with an increased detection of some disruptive behavior, such as weapons and drug possession, and a decrease in violence, existing research shows that SROs' presence is also often associated with increased disciplinary action and law enforcement referrals. In addition, research shows that students of color — particularly Black students — can be disproportionately negatively affected.