Newark police describe scope, training and early results of school resource officer program

Sergeant Shannon Todd of the Newark Police Department presented an update on the city's school resource officer program to the Newark Unified School District Liaison Committee, describing the job's mission, selection and training and saying the presence of an SRO has produced more documented calls for service since the role was reinstated.

The SRO program places a police officer at Newark Memorial High School to "create and maintain a safe learning environment for students, teachers and staff," Sergeant Todd said. She identified Officer Brandon McEwen as the current SRO and said he was attending basic SRO training at the time of the meeting.

Todd told the committee that the SRO serves as a liaison between the police department and the district, investigates crimes on or near campus, helps deter disruptive behavior at school events and provides training on campus safety and juvenile issues. She said the role also includes informal counseling, participation in student counseling sessions and coordination with social services.

"SROs are committed to relationship building with students, and they see it both as a responsibility and as…