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Newark officials describe renewed school resource officer program, cite more calls and emphasis on prevention
Summary
The Newark Police Department presented an update on the school resource officer (SRO) program at Newark Memorial High School, outlining duties, training, selection and a rise in calls for service to 135 from 82 in the prior year. Officials said the increase reflects proactive reporting and outreach rather than rising crime rates.
Sergeant Shannon Todd of the Newark Police Department presented a year‑long update on the district’s school resource officer program and the department’s decision to re‑staff the high school SRO position.
“I'm a sergeant with the Newark Police Department. I am currently overseeing the school resource officer program,” Sergeant Todd said when she opened the presentation. She told the liaison committee that Officer Brandon McEwen is the current SRO and is attending basic and advanced SRO training.
Todd described the SRO mission as partnering with schools to create a safe learning environment and detailed duties that include investigating crimes on or near campus, coordinating active‑shooter training (Run, Hide, Fight), handling welfare checks, delivering classroom presentations, and providing informal counseling and mentorship. She cited one early incident in which the officer identified a suspicious vehicle near campus, located drugs and removed a threat to students.
The presentation included comparative call figures: 82 calls for service in the 2023–24 school year (when the position was unfilled) and 135 calls in 2024–25 after the SRO returned. Todd said the higher number of calls “doesn't mean there's more crime. It just means we're reporting things a little more often,” and noted that many SRO responses are welfare checks, medical calls, and incidents handled informally rather than arrests.
Todd outlined SRO selection and training: the assignment is voluntary, candidates submit a memo of interest and resume, they face an oral board and supervisory review, and incumbents are evaluated annually. She said the SRO’s assignment is a three‑year commitment with a possible fourth year if performance is satisfactory. Training mentioned includes National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO)‑aligned courses, active‑shooter response, juvenile law, crisis intervention team (CIT) training, first aid and CPR instruction, and emergency medical training.
Mayor Hannon praised the program’s local staffing and training exercises funded through the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI). The superintendent and several committee members said they welcome the increased reporting because it produces data the district and city can use to target interventions and support students and families.
No policy or funding change was proposed at the liaison meeting; members asked that the district and police refine metrics so future reports can separate incident types and show how SRO presence affects outcomes.
