SRO Officer Ryan is in his first year as a School Resource Officer at Carbondale Community High School. He has been with the Carbondale Police Department since April 2022. Before entering law enforcement, Officer Ryan studied at Heartland Community College and then transferred to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. During his career, he has served as a Patrol Officer and Juvenile Officer. In his spare time, Officer Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife and their four dogs.
Roles and Responsibilities:
SAFETY: The position’s number one priority is student and staff safety on campus. Specifically, the SRO will:
- Assist with emergency response planning and ensure quick response times occur when issues arise that require the presence of law enforcement
- Provide resources and referrals to students who are victims, witnesses, or perpetrators of criminal offenses
- Support school staff in upholding the student handbook
- Work with the school administration, CPD, and/or state’s attorney to consider restorative justice practices
- Respond immediately to any criminal act which disrupts the learning environment and/or compromises the safety of students and staff
- Investigate and report violations of criminal law on school grounds
- Assist with security at school events and/or functions
- Work with CCHS administration to assist other officers with outside investigations relating to CCHS student safety
EDUCATION: The SRO serves as a resource liaison between the school and the Carbondale Police Department. The SRO gives students, teachers, and families someone from whom to seek guidance on law enforcement matters. Specifically, the SRO will:
- Initiate, develop, and deliver educational programs involving law enforcement and the school.
- Topics include but are not limited to:
- Tobacco, alcohol, and drug use
- Bullying prevention
- Gang violence
- Conflict resolution
- Crisis management
- Violence prevention
- School safety
- Personal safety
- Understanding the law – criminal activity and consequences
- Interacting with law enforcement officials
- Role of the SRO and law enforcement
- The recipients of these programs may include:
- Students
- Parents/School Community Members
- Administrators, Teachers, and Staff
- Carbondale Police Department
- CCHS administration and school board
- PTA and other school-based groups
- Such programs may take several forms, including:
- Guest lecturer in the classroom
- In-services to school and police personnel
- Presentations to the community
- Informal exchanges with students, parents, school personnel, and the community
- Provide guidance to students, staff, parents, and school community members as requested
- Remain current and grow professionally on topics surrounding school/student safety through study, participation in professional activities, and SRO-specific trainings
COMMUNITY RELATIONS: The SRO provides students with another trustworthy adult to talk to within the school environment. The SRO builds connections with students, staff, and the school community, and serves as a resource liaison who is a familiar face to assist both students and staff. Specifically, the SRO will:
- Support and serve students and staff in law enforcement situations when requested by the principal, student, or parent
- Act as a resource person to answer questions that students, parents, and staff may have concerning law enforcement matters
- Provide a conduit for communication between law enforcement agencies and CCHS on issues pertaining to student safety
- Work collaboratively with counselors, social workers, admin, and faculty to refer students and/or families to the appropriate assistance agencies when needed
- Attend extracurricular activities held at CCHS, when requested, and promote a positive relationship between students and law enforcement officials
- Work collaboratively with CCHS, SROs from other jurisdictions within the County, and the County Probation and Health Departments to create safe and drug free schools and promote healthy youth development
- Facilitate rapport between students, faculty, and parents by being available before, during and after school
- Encourage input from the school and community to develop ongoing policies that promote a safe and inclusive school environment