National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day Feb. 15

The National Association of School Resource Officers encourages schools and communities to recognize the valuable work of their school resource officers during National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day February 15.

SROs are carefully selected, specifically trained, sworn law enforcement officers assigned by an employing law enforcement agency to work with schools using community-oriented policing concepts.

“We established National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day last year, after receiving frequent inquiries from schools around the country regarding the most appropriate day to recognize their SROs,” said NASRO executive director Mo Canady. “We encourage schools and communities to take time Feb. 15 to let their SROs know how much they appreciate the work these officers do to bridge gaps between law enforcement and youth and to keep schools safe.”

The SRO assignment is unique within the law enforcement profession. These officers fill a three-part role, serving as informal mentors or counselors, law educators and law enforcement officers to support the students and communities they serve. They are valuable and essential members of the education community who deserve unwavering respect and support from the public in the pursuit of keeping schools and students safe.

NASRO published a National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day proclamation on its website.



The organization chose Feb. 15 for National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day because it falls during the traditional academic year and is the birthdate of Archie Hodge, the only NASRO founding member who remains active on the organization’s board of directors. Hodge, of Jackson, Mississippi, retired from law enforcement in 2006 after serving as an SRO for 22 years.

About NASRO

The National Association of School Resource Officers is a nonprofit organization for school-based law enforcement officers, school administrators and school security and safety professionals working as partners to protect students, school faculty and staff, and the schools where they learn and work. NASRO provides specific training for SROs at locations around the nation, hosts an annual National School Safety Conference and advocates for best practices to help SRO programs accomplish their goals while avoiding unintended consequences. NASRO is headquartered in Hoover, Alabama, and was established in 1991. For more information, visit www.nasro.org.