"Community policing has already helped us reduce crime in America," said Senator Murray. "Schools should be safe places to grow and learn. Placing more police officers in our schools will improve our students' safety."
Officers provided through the COPS in Schools program are known as School Resource Officers (SROs), and are sworn law enforcement officers who become permanently assigned to a school or school system. While the specific activities of SROs are determined by the unique needs of the school and the community they serve, their primary role is to safeguard students by providing a law enforcement presence on campus. Many SROs also teach crime prevention and substance abuse classes, serve as coaches, monitor and counsel troubled students, and ultimately build respect and understanding between law enforcement and students.
"There is nothing more important than the safety of our children," Murray said. "I'm proud that these federal funds will help put more police officers in our schools. The COPS program represents the best kind of partnership between the federal government and local law enforcement."
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services was established in 1994 as part of the Crime Bill, which Senator Murray strongly supported. The program's goal of putting 100,000 more police on the nation's streets has been exceeded.
The awards include:
