Discussions surrounding the role of Community Engagement Officers (CEOs) in Montgomery County’s school system have gained traction following the shooting of a Wootton High School student in February.
This conversation arises from a significant shift in 2021 when Montgomery County transitioned from utilizing school resource officers (SROs), who were stationed at each high school, to the CEO model. This new framework designates officers to a specific high school while also requiring them to manage security for the elementary and middle schools that funnel into that high school.
In an April safety and security update, the Montgomery County school system unveiled the results of a survey aimed at assessing the CEO program. The findings revealed that approximately 33% of families supported the idea of having an officer present in each high school “all day, every day.” This viewpoint was echoed by 28% of school-based administrators and 37.5% among other school staff.
Importance of Defined Roles
Lt. Pamela Revels of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama, who also serves as president of the National Association of School Resource Officers, emphasized the necessity of well-defined roles for police officers in educational settings during an interview with WTOP.
Revels articulated the expectations parents hold when sending their children to school, stating, “When our parents, our caregivers, guardians, send their young people to school, they are expecting them to come back the same way they went — mentally, physically and emotionally.”
She highlighted that effective SRO programs prioritize these expectations while ensuring that officers are “carefully selected, specifically trained and properly equipped” for their roles.
Despite the investment in advanced security measures, such as weapons detection systems, Revels stressed that the human element remains vital in creating a safe school environment. An effective SRO should demonstrate patience and approachability, recognizing that they are working with adolescents.
Revels noted that essential qualities for these officers include flexibility, understanding, and patience, along with the ability to react decisively in the event of a threat, such as an active shooter situation.
While some question whether SROs effectively prevent school violence, Revels argued that when students develop trust in these officers, they are more likely to share critical information that can help address potential issues early on.
Moreover, Revels stressed the importance of a clearly defined memorandum of understanding (MOU) between schools and police departments, stating that educators must be well-informed about the scope of their interactions with law enforcement to prevent situations where police become involved in school discipline.
Regarding the ongoing discussions about the roles of CEOs in Montgomery County Public Schools, spokesperson Liliana Lopez responded via email to WTOP, indicating a commitment to a collaborative approach. She mentioned, “During our April 21 testimony to the County Council, we addressed the resource constraints noted by both MCPS and MCPD. The Board of Education will need to convene and provide formal recommendations to the Executive and our police partners. To honor the MOU and our partnership with all Montgomery County law enforcement agencies, we will engage our police partners from the very beginning.”
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