School resource officers (SROs) are often in a favorable position to work with students directly and shall work with students to facilitate positive police contacts, to promote positive choices and activities, and to establish rapport and encourage open communication.

SROs will conduct foot and squad patrol of the school grounds checking for individuals loitering or acting in an inappropriate manner. The SRO will actively intervene with the assistance of school staff when s/he observes fighting, disruptive, loud, boisterous behavior individuals damaging property, gang activity or committing other criminal acts.

SROs are assigned to the schools as determined by the commander of the youth services section. The deployment of the officers may also be based on the volume of calls for service. SROs are all Saint Paul Police officers and assigned by the chief of police.

SROs maybe provided with office space, telephone, portable radios, laptop computers, and cameras by the school district for official use.

School Resource Officers Procedures

  1. All SROs must abide by the policies, rules, and regulations of the Saint Paul Police and Saint Paul Public School District.  In the event of a conflict, the Saint Paul Police policies, rules, and regulations will take precedence.
  1. SROs must put themselves on-duty and EOT on the air.
  1. SROs must report directly to their primary school and check-in and check-out with the principal or designee.
  1. SRO rovers must check-in and check-out with the school district’s ECC.
  1. SRO rovers may be assigned to a high school if the primary SRO is absent from school for an extended period of time.
  1. When SROs are not available, the schools must call 911 for police services.
  1. SROs must immediately report incidents of note to the SRO sergeant or unit commander. 
  1. SROs will notify the principal or designee as well as their SRO sergeant of any arrests on school grounds.
  1. The SRO must notify the principal or designee before removing a student from school.  In addition, the SRO must notify the parents of juveniles who are placed.
  1. SROs may not transport students in their department vehicle except when the student is a victim of a crime, under arrest, or in the course of their duties with a law enforcement purpose.
  1. SROs are not permitted to take extended vacations when schools are in session.  It is expected that the SROs will take the majority of their vacation during the summer or when schools are not in session.  Note:  Any extended vacation must be approved by the SRO sergeant.
  1. SROs must request time off through the SRO sergeant.  SROs shall notify the school principal via email of any sick leave or planned time off.
  1. When schools are not in session, SROs will report directly to the SRO sergeant and/or the unit commander for direction.

  • Any SRO can be temporarily reassigned by the police command staff.

    14. School Resource Officers Duties

  • SROs will meet as needed with the administrators, teachers, and staff at their assigned school.
  • SROs will take part in the Problem Pupil Committee (PPC) during the course of the regular school day.
  • All SROs must attend the monthly SRO unit meetings.
  • SROs must facilitate informational sessions for staff and students related to gangs, drugs, cyber bullying, sexting, and/or the criminal justice system.
  • SROs must take reports requested by the school district.
  • SRO rovers must respond to junior, middle, and elementary school calls between the hours of 0700 to 1500.
  • SROs may participate in school-based community organization meetings such as the Parent Teacher Associations or the School Advisory Council upon request by the school district.
  • All SROs must submit a monthly log to the SRO sergeant.
  • SROs must assist district officers on calls for service in and/or near the school.
  • SROs must conduct foot and squad patrol of school grounds checking for individuals loitering or acting in an inappropriate and disruptive manner.

Updated February 1, 2019

Last Edited: March 7, 2019