The role of School Resource Officers was discussed yesterday when Laurens Assistant Police Chief Chrissie Cofield addressed the Laurens Rotary Club. Assistant District 55 Superintendent Dr. George Ward introduced Major Cofield to Rotarians. He cited Superintendent Billy Strickland’s emphasis on putting an S.R.O. in every school, not just at the middle and high school levels, as is the case in many school districts. Assistant Chief Cofield said enforcement of school rules like cell phone use is not an S.R.O’s job. She said there are two basic responsibilities of an S.R.O. They are to ensure safety of students, teachers and others in schools and to build a bridge between students and police. Said that another S.R.O. has just been hired for E.B. Morse Elementary, after which all schools in the City will have one on duty. She said in addition to the law enforcement officer in the school, the marked police car out front provides an extra layer of protection. She noted that folks looking to cause harm want a “soft target,” and tend to avoid areas with an obvious police presence.
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