RCS and RPD Expand School Resource Officer Program
Richmond Community Schools and the Richmond Police Department have solidified their partnership to enhance school safety with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding, which expands the School Resource Officer program. The agreement brings a minimum of four full-time SROs to RCS buildings, emphasizing safety and fostering positive relationships between students and law enforcement.
In a joint statement, ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ and ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฒ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ expressed their shared vision for the initiative:
"Today marks a significant step in uniting our city and our schools under one common goal: the safety and well-being of every child in Richmond," ๐ฌ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ฒ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ . "As parents, neighbors, and community members, we want nothing more than for our schools to be sanctuaries of learning and growth. This partnership underscores our commitment to ensuring that our children have the safe, supportive environment they deserve."
๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ added, "This collaboration with Richmond Community Schools is about more than securityโit's about trust, unity, and hope for our future. The officers in this program will serve not only as protectors but also as mentors, role models, and advocates for our youth. By coming together as a community, we reaffirm that our children's safety is not just a priority; it is our collective responsibility. We are proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with RCS to safeguard the next generation."
The new MOU focuses on key initiatives to enhance safety and build relationships:
โข Educational programs to help students better understand the role of law enforcement.
โข SRO participation in school activities to strengthen bonds with students.
โข Coordinated responses to security incidents on school grounds.
โข Collaborative strategies to address issues like truancy and student safety.
โข Traffic management during peak school hours to ensure safety around campuses.
๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ซ. ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ฌ ๐. ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ applauded the collaboration, stating, "This refined MOU reflects a shared dedication to our students, staff, and stakeholders. We are grateful for the unwavering support from the City of Richmond and the Richmond Police Department as we work together to create the safest possible environment for our children to learn and thrive."
The expanded SRO program took effect on January 22, 2025, with immediate implementation across all RCS schools.
Press Contacts
โข Bridget Hazelbaker, Director of Student Support and Communications, RCS, 765-973-3329, [email protected]
โข Adam Blanton, Assistant Chief of Police and Public Information Officer, RPD, 765-983-7247, [email protected]
๐๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ, ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ.
