SRO Program

Effingham School Resource Officer Program

The School Resource Officer (SRO) Program of the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office provides full time Deputies to all schools outside the city limits of Effingham City that are within Effingham County.  The Effingham City Police Department provides SRO’s for those schools within the city limits of Effingham City, all of Unit 40.  These Deputies are assigned to specific schools, but they can, and will, serve in any school (in the County) where they are needed. 

The Deputies serving as SRO’s are all certified and trained by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO).  Our SRO’s follow the Triad Concept of school based policing.  The Triad Concept divides the SRO’s responsibilities into three areas:  Teacher, Counselor, and Law Enforcement Officer.  The focus of the SRO, when dealing with students, is to attempt to use any and all means necessary to divert students from the Criminal Justice System using the Triad Concept.  

Some people question why Law Enforcement Officers are needed in schools.  In today’s society, the schools are expected to deal with more issues than in any time in the past.  If the SRO’s utilize the Triad Concept, the School / Law Enforcement relationship enhances the school, the law enforcement community, the students, the staff, and the community.  This also creates a safer learning environment for the students and staff.