Building Relationships and Supporting Students, Dr. Beth Sanborn, SRO

The Role of School Resource Officers: Building Relationships and Supporting Students, Dr. Beth Sanborn, SRO,

Note: This article is created from an interview between Steve Morreale and Beth Sanborn on The CopDoc Podcast.?It has been distilled and summarized for reading by the author with the assistance of an AI text generator, using ChatGPT.

Introduction:

In a recent episode of The CopDoc Podcast, I interviewed (Dr.) Detective Beth Sanborn, a school resource officer from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. ?We discuss her experience as a school resource officer and the importance of this role in supporting students and building positive relationships within the school community.

Beth Sanborn, a school resource officer and advocate for her profession, shares her journey and highlights the importance of school resource officers (SROs) in supporting students. She emphasizes the misconceptions surrounding the role of SROs and discusses the significant impact they have on creating a positive learning environment. Through her personal experiences and research, Beth sheds light on the valuable relationships and support SROs provide to students and the community.

Building Trust and Humanizing the Badge:

Beth emphasizes the importance of building trust and humanizing the badge as a school resource officer. By engaging with students, parents, and faculty, she creates an environment where people understand the role of law enforcement and become better consumers of police services. Beth's personal connection with the community allows her to know students on a deeper level, understand their challenges, and provide the necessary support to help them succeed.

Preventing Conflict and Promoting Positive Behavior:

As an SRO, Beth's primary goal is to enhance learning and promote positive behavior within the school community. She actively works towards preventing conflicts and creating a safe environment for students to thrive. Beth's extensive knowledge of the students' social dynamics, interests, and challenges enables her to identify those who may need additional support. By providing mentorship and counseling, she helps students develop better conflict-resolution skills and become better individuals.

The Role of SROs in Crisis Situations:

Beth highlights a crucial aspect of her role as an SRO during crisis situations. She describes an incident where her relationship with a student helped de-escalate a potentially harmful situation. By establishing trust and understanding with students, she can communicate effectively and provide appropriate guidance. Beth's ability to diffuse tense situations reflects the power of positive relationships in preventing unnecessary arrests and fostering a safe and supportive school environment.

The Office Environment:

Beth's office within the school is far from what one might expect from a traditional police station. Her inviting and comforting space is adorned with potted plants, crystals, and various fidget toys. This environment encourages students to seek support in times of crisis or distress. By creating a non-intimidating atmosphere, Beth ensures that students feel comfortable approaching her and seeking help, rather than fearing punitive measures for minor infractions.

Finding a Passion for Policing:

Dr. Sanborn shares her journey into policing, which began with her fascination for sociology and criminology during her undergraduate studies. Her passion for understanding people's behaviors and helping others led her to pursue a career in law enforcement. She explains how she discovered her true passion for policing when she became a school resource officer and had the opportunity to make a positive impact on students' lives.

The Role of School Resource Officers:

School resource officers, unlike traditional patrol officers, are specially chosen and trained to work with children and adolescents. They undergo extensive training in understanding teenage brain development, and the underlying reasons behind their behaviors. Their primary focus is not to criminalize juvenile misbehaviors but to address the root causes and provide guidance, mentorship, and support to help students succeed.

Building Trust and Relationships:

Dr. Sanborn acknowledges that initially, there can be resistance and skepticism from both teachers and parents when a police officer enters the school environment. However, she emphasizes the importance of building trust and respect over time. School resource officers must earn the trust of the school community by actively engaging with teachers, parents, and students, attending school events, and participating in extracurricular activities. Through these interactions, officers can establish positive relationships and demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of students.

Understanding the Context:

The unique advantage of school resource officers is their presence within the school for an extended period, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of student's lives and the underlying factors that may contribute to their behavior. Instead of immediately resorting to punitive measures, officers have the opportunity to address underlying issues such as hunger, financial difficulties, or family problems, and provide appropriate support and guidance. By focusing on the "why" behind the behavior, they can help students overcome challenges and make positive choices.

The Value of School Resource Officers:

Dr. Sanborn and I feel that school resource officers play a vital role in the community policing model. They are not just law enforcement agents but mentors, counselors, and role models for students. They contribute to creating a safe and inclusive school environment where students feel supported and valued. The notion of removing school resource officers from schools is contrary to the positive impact they can have on students' lives and their ability to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and the community.

Conclusion:

The conversation between Beth and I highlights the importance of school resource officers in schools. Their unique training and role allow them to understand and address the specific needs and challenges faced by students. By building trust, providing guidance, and fostering positive relationships, school resource officers can contribute to the overall well-being and success of students. Their presence should be seen as an asset to the community and an opportunity to strengthen the bond between law enforcement and the school community.

Beth Sanborn's journey as a school resource officer highlights the critical role that SROs play in the lives of students and the school community. Her dedication to building relationships, understanding individual challenges, and providing support demonstrate the positive impact that SROs can have on student success. By humanizing the badge, preventing conflicts, and promoting positive behavior, SROs contribute significantly to creating a safe and nurturing learning environment for all students.

Beth can be reached by email at [email protected] ?

References:

Transcript from an interview on The CopDoc Podcast, episode#33, August 21, 2021, between Steve Morreale and Dr. Beth Sanborn, Lower Gwynedd Police.?www.copdoc.podcast.com??

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