Annual National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day

The Annual National School Resource Officer Day was held on February 15th. This day was set aside to honor SROs who serve their communities not only as full time Certified Peace Officers, but in the schools in their communities. These officers hold several roles in their departments and the schools they are assigned to. They are often the front line in protecting out students and teachers and keeping them safe. They do so much more though. They act as mentors and role model to the students, they hold roles as educators themselves. The respond to crimes, and reports, and investigate. The help in implementing safety plans, address disruptions in the school, respond to emergency situations, act as liaisons to other first responders, They often play a role as counselor to students as well.

All Law Enforcement deserve respect and gratitude for the service they do, and the risk they make for their community. These officers take on a special role though, that are sometimes a students first, and in some cases, only exposure to LEO and the legal system. They have an important part in establishing healthy relationships that can lead to young people growing up to understand and respect the role that law enforcement plays in our community and in our legal system.

Some of the local county schools recently honored several of their officers on their Facebook page in recognition of the day:

As Well as:

We would like to issue a big thank you to all SROs across the area and across the state of Alabama.

he National Association of School Resource Officers encourages schools and communities to recognize the valuable work of their school resource officers (SROs) during National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day on February 15 of every year.

We established National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day in 2022, after receiving frequent inquiries from schools around the country regarding the most appropriate day to recognize their SROs. NASRO encourages schools and communities to take time on Feb. 15 of every year to let their SROs know how much they appreciate the work these officers do to bridge gaps between law enforcement and youth and to keep schools safe.

An official proclamation appears below.

The SRO assignment is unique within the law enforcement profession. These sworn law enforcement officers fill a three-part role, serving as informal mentors or counselors, law educators, and law enforcement officers to support the students and communities they serve. They are valuable and essential members of the education community who deserve unwavering respect and support from the public in the pursuit of keeping schools and students safe.

We chose Feb. 15 for National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day because it falls during the traditional academic year and is the birthdate of Archie Hodge, the only NASRO founding member who remains active on the organization’s board of directors. Hodge, of Jackson, Mississippi, retired from law enforcement in 2006 after serving as an SRO for 22 years.

National School Resource Officers Day Proclamation

WHEREAS, The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) is dedicated to making schools and children safer by providing the highest-quality training to school-based law enforcement officers;

WHEREAS, school resource officers (SROs) bridge gaps between youth and law enforcement and embrace a triad concept of school policing, serving in informal counseling, education, and law enforcement roles to support students and communities they serve;

WHEREAS, by training law enforcement officers to counsel, educate, and protect school communities, the men and women of NASRO continuously lead by example and promote a positive image of law enforcement to school children and school communities;

WHEREAS, SRO programs across the globe are founded as collaborative efforts by police agencies, law enforcement officers, educators, students, parents, and communities to create safe learning environments, provide valuable resources to school staff members, foster positive relationships with students and develop strategies to resolve problems that affect youth with the goal of protecting all children, so they can reach their fullest potential;

WHEREAS, school resource officers are valuable and essential members of the education community and deserve unwavering respect and support from the public in the pursuit of keeping schools and students safe;

NOW, THEREFORE, the National Association of School Resource Officers hereby proclaims February 15 as School Resource Officer Appreciation Day, a special day to show appreciation for school-based law enforcement officers and encourage all citizens to show their gratitude with displays of support and personal messages.