Berlin Community School and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Berlin are once again placing a strong emphasis on the safety and security of students and staff in the new year with the School Resource Officer (SRO) program, an initiative supported by local officials and the schools themselves.
The SRO team of officers for this year includes four veterans:
- Robert Murray: Now entering his fourth year as an SRO with Berlin Community School, Murray has become a familiar and trusted presence in the schools.
- Tony Massi: With three years of experience as an SRO, Massi will continue to serve Berlin Community School.
- Shannon Wilson: Wilson is in his second full year as an SRO with Berlin Community School and Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
- Brian Mazziotta: New to the SRO team, Mazziotta is beginning his first year at Berlin Community School.
Officers normally retire from active duty before transitioning to the SRO role. They are more than just a security presence, but are integral to creating a supportive and positive school environment. Stationed full time in schools, they are readily available to respond to potential safety threats.
In addition to their daytime responsibilities, the SROs extend their coverage to after-school programs at Berlin Community School and are also responsible for maintaining a visible presence at Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
A significant benefit of having SROs on campus is the opportunity for them to build trust and positive relationships in the school community as mentors, role models and allies in the students’ academic journey. The presence of an SRO provides a sense of security and reassurance, alleviating safety fears.
Federal statistics estimate that in the 2015-’16 school year, there were some 52,000 full- or part-time SROs in schools once a week, according to Education Week. The most recent U.S. data available – from the 2017-’18 school year – show that about 45 percent of schools had an SRO in place at least once a week.
Schools across the country first began partnering with law enforcement to assign SROs in the 1950s, and the role gained prominence in the 1990s in response to various school shootings.
The SRO program in Berlin is a result of collaboration between the mayor and council, school administrators, law enforcement – including the police chief – and the community.
