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School resource officers describe mentoring, threat response and reporting obligations to Beech Grove board
Summary
Lieutenant Riggs and other school resource officers told the Beech Grove City Schools board Dec. 10 that their work emphasizes mentoring, relationship-building and investigation of threats; officers described coordination with Child Protective Services and local prosecutors.
Lieutenant Riggs, a school resource officer, told the Beech Grove City Schools Board on Dec. 10 that the district's SRO program focuses mainly on mentoring and relationship-building while also handling investigations and threat response.
The officers outlined the program's history, day-to-day duties and reporting obligations, and described recent threat investigations that involved arrests and countywide coordination.
Lieutenant Riggs said the program has local roots and continuity: "Our program has been going on since it was in 2012," and he noted he personally has been assigned to the schools since 2020. He introduced other officers, including Officer Parker, Officer Hartman and Officer Jerry Reese, and said the SROs rotate among buildings so students meet officers regularly.
The officers described routine duties such as patrolling halls, checking doors, mentoring students and meeting with families. "About 80% of what we do is either mentoring or, kind of being another counselor of a resource," Lieutenant Riggs said, adding that officers use that role to build relationships and to provide an alternative voice for students who might otherwise have negative interactions with police.
On reporting child-protective concerns, Lieutenant Riggs emphasized a consistent approach: "My philosophy on calling CPS is I always tell anybody who if they ask me should I call CPS? My answer is always yes," he said, adding that buildings generally file initial reports so information remains fresh for investigators and mandated reporters in Marion County are required to notify authorities.
Officers said the district has seen both false and verified threats this school year. Riggs described a series of incidents that required coordinated investigations with other school districts and SROs across central Indiana and said the county prosecutor expects serious threats to be pursued; he also said the district had a small number of arrests at the high school this school year.
Board members asked about how SROs handle investigations and parent contact; officers said responses vary by situation and described regular communication with parents and school staff. Board members requested more regular visibility for families; one board member proposed monthly opportunities for parents to meet SROs so families can learn the officers' roles and activities.
Officers closed by offering continued contact and assistance with school questions or events.
Information in this article is based on the SRO presentation and Q&A during the public portion of the Dec. 10 Beech Grove City Schools board meeting, when officers introduced themselves and described program operations and threat-response procedures.
