CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Today celebrates National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day across the country. These law enforcement men and women go above and beyond protecting school children, with their training in crisis management, youth counseling, and school safety, according to Kenneth Wagner, Police Chief of Clay County’s School District.
“One of our sergeants happens to be a former Bradford County school teacher, and I think that brings a host of many different angles into being a school resource officer,” Chief Wagner says.
He says his team of 48 School Resource Officers is appreciated every day for helping students with homework, and being role models for students in Clay County.
Chief Wagner says, “I’ve seen our School Resource Officers engaged in playing basketball court hockey, all the way up to, being that shoulder to cry on during times of crisis or maybe something that’s going on in the home.”
Some SROs even coach sports in Clay County Schools, continuing to find ways to both serve and protect their students.
Wagner believes the purpose of SROs is, “mentoring and building the bridges, and closing those gaps between law enforcement and our future leaders.”
The Sunshine State has the largest group of school resource officers in the country, exceeding 900 members statewide, according to the Florida Association of School Resource Officers
Today, the Orange Park Police Department took to its social media to celebrate three SROs: Officer Briggs; Officer Chalker; Officer Mills.
Orange Park Police Department stated, “Please join me in recognizing our three School Resource Officers, Ofc Briggs, Ofc Chalker and Ofc Mills, on this 2023 National SRO Appreciation Day! These three guys are incredibly passionate about their roles protecting the students and staff of their assigned schools in the Town of Orange Park. Thank you guys for what you do! You truly make a difference.”