The following is an open letter to both the Hamilton County Commission and Hamilton County School Board. I in no way speak for any of the organizations that I have been a part of.
As the eve of the budget vote looms, there is one topic that has become yet again a focus of everyone’s attention, the Sheriff’s budget. This year I was surprised by Jim Corbin’s attempt to grow the Student Security Officer Program (SSO) and diminish the School Resource Officer Program (SRO).
This is especially surprising when his company (Corbin and Associates) still teaches for SRO’s across the nation, but I will digress on that issue for now.
Don’t misunderstand me, Dr. Corbin is a great asset to this county and the school system is lucky to have him. In light of the advisement from a person so respected as Dr. Corbin in the field of school security, it is not surprising that School Board members and Commissioners have questioned the need for School Resource Officers. Looking forward you, who have been voted into a trusted position, have to assess the value you are getting for your dollar, and what level of protection you want for our children.
What is a Student Security Officer? They are an armed security guard plain and simple. This is not a putdown as many of the SSO’s have had full and successful careers as law enforcement officers. This is, however, a fact-based statement. If you don’t believe me, look at the job description for Student Security Officer on the HCDE website. The SSO is a needed asset at our schools, but they most certainly cannot come close to filling the shoes of an SRO.
What is a School Resource Officer? First and foremost an SRO is a law enforcement officer. They have access to intel reports regarding gang violence. They can review bulletins regarding domestic terrorism and about persons threatening violence. They are able to review law enforcement incidents that may occur in the home of a potentially endangered juvenile and make referrals or take action if warranted. SRO’s have the ability to conduct criminal investigations on and off campus and are able to detain and make arrest. It is near impossible to quantify the number of incidents that have been prevented by the SRO’s doing Threat Assessments on individuals threatening to do violence in our schools. It is also impossible to put a number on the amount of gang-related shootings, (some that almost happened on campus) that have been prevented by SRO’s gathering information and channeling it to the proper resource. But SRO’s are more than just cops on campus; they are mentors, coaches, teachers and counselors. They have filled countless roles and have been supportive to the school staff and students. Everything just mentioned is in addition to the basic service provided by the SSO per the HCDE website, which the SRO also does.
Now that we have the comparison, of what the SSO and SRO does let’s finish with this thought. It is wildly unpopular to be in law enforcement right now. Law enforcement as a whole cannot hire fast enough to plug the vacancies created by former officers who feel this profession is not worth the heartache anymore. In addition to the cries of people wanting to defund law enforcement around the nation, we have brought that mindset to Hamilton County with the talk of cutting the SRO program. Cops care about people, but they also want job security, and don’t want to fight with school staff about an American flag on their wall that happens to have a blue line through it. When a Commissioner talks about defunding the SRO program, which does not instill confidence in job security, it makes attempts to recruit for the SRO program very difficult. This is especially true when the prospective deputy may or may not have the job they applied for.
I understand there are issues with how the SRO’s were used during the jail transition. However, that is something for you commissioners and the school board to work out with the sheriff. But to cut a program that has been immensely successful because of a staffing problem is like me cutting off my foot after I stubbed my toe. This program is in your hands, Commissioners. If this program is defunded even more, or completely cut, then I fear very real tragedies will play out, which I believe will end up costing more. When we want to give the best to our children do you want a security guard or someone that has a passion for the career?
Mike Korter
Former President
International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local #673