School Resource Officers (SRO)
The Thomas County Sheriff's Department is dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of all our school campuses. We believe fostering a safe and nurturing environment is essential for our children to learn, develop, and thrive.
Sheriff Watkins strongly supports the SRO program, recognizing its critical role in enhancing safety while building strong community connections. School Resource Officers are assigned each Thomas County School. These officers are meticulously selected and trained across various disciplines to develop their expertise on our campuses.
The mission of an SRO goes beyond traditional law enforcement. They engage with students as mentors and role models through sports, board games, and sharing meals. This interaction helps to establish trust and rapport, creating a positive environment where students feel comfortable reaching out for support. Sheriff Watkins emphasizes the importance of these relationships, reinforcing SROs as trusted adults within the school community.
In addition to mentoring, our SROs serve as valuable resources for parents and school partners. They carry out necessary law enforcement duties and provide training and age-appropriate classroom presentations upon request. This multifaceted approach allows SROs to engage with the community meaningfully.
Investing in the School Resource Officer program reflects our department's commitment to the safety and well-being of our students. Sheriff Watkins believes that the positive influence SROs have in schools not only enhances campus security but also strengthens the relationship between law enforcement and the communities we serve. The benefits of this program far outweigh the investment, making our schools safer and our communities closer
A School Resource Officer (SRO) is a law enforcement officer who is assigned to work in schools to ensure safety and security, promote positive relationships between students and law enforcement, and provide educational resources. The presence of an SRO helps create a safe, supportive, and productive environment for students, ensuring they can focus on their education while learning to interact positively with law enforcement.
Safety and Security: SROs help prevent and respond to incidents involving violence, bullying, or threats. They may monitor security cameras, patrol the campus, and intervene in emergencies.
Mentorship and Relationship Building: They often serve as mentors, building positive relationships with students to help prevent criminal behavior and promote good citizenship.
Education: SROs may teach classes on topics like drug prevention, bullying, conflict resolution, and legal education.
Conflict Mediation: When disputes arise, SROs can step in to help mediate and resolve issues in a peaceful manner.
Law Enforcement: In addition to their community roles, SROs have full law enforcement authority and can make arrests, investigate crimes, and enforce school policies that may relate to legal.
Thomas County Central High School
- Lieutenant Dillard
- Corporal Sturrup
Thomas County Middle School
- Corporal Banos
Hand-in-Hand Primary School
- Lieutenant Godwin
Garrison-Pilcher Elementary School
- Corporal Franklin
The Renaissance Center/Bishop Hall Charter School/Pathways Educational Program
- Deputy Mann
Cross Creek Elementary School
- Deputy Donaldson
Brookwood School
- Deputy Daniels
