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Douglas County commissioners unanimously recognize school resource officers; declare appreciation week
Summary
The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution recognizing school resource officers (SROs) and declared Feb. 17–21, 2025, SRO Appreciation Week; county and law-enforcement officials described the size and scope of the SRO program.
The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on Feb. 18 to adopt a resolution recognizing school resource officers and to declare Feb. 17–21, 2025, School Resource Officer Appreciation Week.
Commissioner Teal moved to approve the resolution and Commissioner Van Winkle seconded; the motion passed on a 3–0 voice vote. The resolution text read in the meeting said Douglas County has "the largest school resource officer team in the state, with 43 officers protecting every elementary, middle, and high school in the county," and that the county invested in school safety in 2024 by sharing costs with the school district to fund seven new resource officers.
Under Sheriff Dave Walter of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, representing the sheriff's office in Sheriff Weekly's absence, described the structure and scale of the county's SRO program. Walter said the program comprises 43 full-time equivalents and that the county's SROs work across "7 high schools, 5 middle schools, 7 charter schools, 4 private schools, and we've got 11 in our elementary school zones," for a total of 57 schools served. Walter also said SROs in the county average about 17 years of law enforcement experience and noted that in the 2024 school year local law enforcement handled 3,035 Safe2Tell tips.
Gordon Mosier, identified as an executive director of schools in Douglas County, spoke during citizen comment on behalf of the school district and thanked the county for the program and recognition. Cimarron Middle School principal Chris Zimmerman also addressed the commissioners, thanking the county and naming local leaders who have supported school safety and SRO training.
Commissioners praised the program as a preventive and relational component of school safety. Commissioner Teal said the SRO program is "the most common denominator of support" he hears in the community and thanked SRO leadership. The board approved the resolution by voice vote with all three commissioners saying "aye," recorded as a 3–0 carry.
Ending: The resolution is ceremonial recognition and does not change county or district staffing levels or budgets beyond previously approved funding. Commissioners and county staff said they view the SRO program as part of a broader, multi-year approach to school safety and invited continued partnership with school-district leaders and municipal police departments.
