User:801johnna/School resource officer

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*** make the following the new lead section of the Controversies section***

The legitimacy of school resource officers is a contentious and complex issue involving education, justice, and safety. Barbara Fedders, Associate Professor of Law at UNC and the Director of Clinical Programs and faculty supervisor of the Youth Justice Clinic, argues against the legitimacy of SROs with the following key points: school community policing policies become informed and prioritized based on the values and motivations of the SRO; SROs create a certain power imbalance and dominance within the school settings due to their presence; SROs' punitive nature and intimidation are not conducive to a learning environment; the presence of police in schools can undermine trust between students and educators and can erode feelings of safety; SROs authority has been known to impede the principal and teacher's responses to minor infractions, mischievous behavior, and inappropriate actions by students where SROs enforcement of the law escalates to legal consequences for children. The criminalization of youth behavior before their prefrontal lobe development is problematic. Scholars argue that SROs police unfairly and disproportionately target black and brown students and those with disabilities.

Those arguing in favor of SROs talk about how they deter violence, drug use, criminal behavior, and disruption in schools, the SROs ability to respond to outside emergencies and threats, and the potential for SROs to minimize harm in an active shooter crisis. Strategic collaboration with school staff and SROs to improve school environments and increase safety awareness are additional key points by proponents. Positive relationships nurtured by SROs trained in cultural competency and diversity can provide mentorship and support to students and the school community. Often SROs can be resources for civil duty and community engagement and many may teach subjects related to social studies, legal systems, and political sciences. There is also an argument that SROs helpfully enhance and legitimize the law enforcement agency's position in the local jurisdiction.

The discussion surrounding school resource officers encompasses diverse perspectives and considerations, reflecting ongoing debates regarding their role, effectiveness, and potential impact on school environments, safety measures, and relationships within their communities. Examining the impact of SROs on school climate, student perceptions of safety, sense of belonging, and trust in authority figures considering both positive and negative effects will progress the conversation.

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