Prince George’s County police officers are back in the county’s middle and high schools for the first time in years, serving as a security resource to school staff and mentors for students. The police officers, most of whom volunteered for their new post, will be stationed at each of Prince George’s County Public Schools’ 23 high schools. The police, known as school resource officers, also will split time among the county’s middle schools.
Police say the schools will benefit from improved communication between officers inside and outside the schools, as the police department tries to quell violence that starts inside schools from spilling out into neighborhoods, according to Cpl. George Ross, who is stationed at Crossland High School in Temple Hills.
In previous years, county sheriff’s deputies were stationed in the schools. While police applauded the work the sheriff’s office has done, officials hope that improved communication within one department will keep schools safer.
Michael Blow, security director for the school system, said the police are a welcome addition to the school system. Each new officer has spent the summer training to interact with students. When necessary, the officers have the authority to make arrests and act according to their normal police duties, but the idea is to build relationships to prevent the need for arrests in the first place.
“Fortunately, the times that we do have those types of incidents, the young people are the ones that will normally bring it to the attention of adults in the building,” Blow said. “That says the message we’re sending about a safe school environment is being well received.” – Ben Giles
