(CLAIR) – February 15 was National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day. This is a time to recognize the essential role that school resource officers (SROs) play in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students and staff in schools across the United States. In Simi Valley, SROs Gene Colato and Glenn Ellis have earned a reputation as the “best of the best” for their tireless efforts to build relationships with the students in their community.
SROs are law enforcement officers who are specially trained to work in schools. They are experts in juvenile law, and they spend a great deal of time on campus, where they have the opportunity to build relationships with students and staff. In Simi Valley, the SRO program has been in place for over 20 years, and it has been a tremendous success.
The SRO assignment is a unique role within law enforcement. SROs serve as informal mentors, counselors, law educators, and law enforcement officers all rolled into one. They are valuable members of the education community who work to keep schools and students safe.
Ellis and Colato are responsible for the safety of 16,000 students on 28 campuses in the Simi Valley Unified School District. Their job involves much more than just maintaining order and responding to emergencies. They work to help students make the right choices, address potential problems before they erupt, and provide guidance to students and parents.
One of the most important aspects of the SROs’ job is building relationships with students, parents, and school staff. This allows them to respond quickly and effectively in emergency situations. The officers also know the layout of each campus and are aware of any issues that individual students may have. This knowledge enables them to provide targeted support and guidance to students who need it.
In addition to their emergency response duties, Ellis and Colato work to prevent problems before they happen. They help schools deal with issues such as truancy, drug or weapon possession, theft, and vandalism. They also provide guidance to students and their parents on a wide range of topics, from personal safety to online behavior.
Overall, the work of school resource officers like Ellis and Colato is invaluable to the safety and wellbeing of students and staff in schools. They are an essential part of Simi’s education community.
