School Resource/
Community Outreach Unit
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What is the program?
The SRO Program was first implemented in Flint, Michigan in 1951. Since the program's inception, it has successfully been put into practice in school districts and states all over America. Sheriff Huey "Hoss" Mack started the SRO Program in Baldwin County in 2007.
The program was implemented in partnership with the Baldwin County Public School System and started with an alternative education program dealing with at risk and special needs students. The program has since evolved as a strong resource shared at schools throughout Baldwin County. Many law enforcement agencies throughout Baldwin County have also implemented SRO Programs in order to provide services to all public schools in Baldwin County. With the increasingly high amounts of pressures our children are facing, growing up can be an extreme challenge. We understand the need to provide positive guidance and we are committed to providing them with a safe school environment.
Furthermore, the function of our program has adapted and changed to keep up with the growing needs and trends of our children and schools. We are partnered schools by means of providing both student and staff trainings on issues such as bullying, internet safety, drug and alcohol awareness, and other real life issues which affect our children and communities within Baldwin County.
We are currently serving Perdido Elementary, North Baldwin Center for Technology, Pine Grove Elementary, Delta Elementary, Stapleton Elementary, Rosinton Elementary, Elsanor Elementary, CF Taylor Alternative School, South Baldwin Center for Technology, Magnolia School, and Swift School.
The involvement of SROs extends far beyond the classroom and the normal workday. Officers participate in parent-teacher and faculty meetings, student social and sporting events, and club projects. The presence of SROs tends to strengthen the student/police bonds and shows the officers' commitment to the students and their education and safety.
What is a School Resource Officer?
A School Resource Officer (SRO) is a certified law enforcement officer who is assigned full-time to work with schools. For this, SROs receive many hours of ongoing specialized training. The concept is similar to the "cop on foot patrol" who knows the people he serves on a first name basis and is sensitive to their particular needs.
Like many adults, some students view police officers solely as enforcers of the laws. By establishing a rapport with the SRO assigned to their school, students will not only gain positive role models, but also a better understanding of Deputy Sheriffs and the many other duties and responsibilities associated with their profession aside from traditional law enforcement.
Likewise, SROs will gain a better perspective of the youth in their schools. By carefully assessing the needs of individual students, SROs will be more aware of the development of unhealthy or destructive behavioral patterns. Through early intervention, it is possible to redirect negative behaviors before they cause students to be referred to the criminal justice system.
Meet our School Resource Officers
Sgt. Jeff Spaller
Serving Since: 1997
Email: jspaller@baldwincountyal.gov
Cpl. Shane Robinson
Serving Since: 1997
Email: srobinson@baldwincountyal.gov
Deputy David Tetreau
Serving Since: 2006
Email: dtetreau@baldwincountyal.gov
Deputy Craig Stoffle
Serving Since: 2000
Email: cstoffle@baldwincountyal.gov
Deputy Lucas Jones
Serving Since: 2007
Email: ljones@baldwincountyal.gov
Deputy Salena Niehuss
Serving Since: 2011
Email: sniehuss@baldwincountyal.gov
Deputy Lisa Bedgood
Serving Since: 2011
Email: lisa.bedgood@baldwincountyal.gov
Deputy Keith Stoffle
Serving Since: 1997
Email: kstoffle@baldwincountyal.gov
Deputy Daniel Daugherty
Serving Since: 2012
Email: daniel.daugherty@baldwincountyal.gov
Deputy Robert Overstreet
Serving Since: 2009
Email: roverstreet@baldwincountyal.gov
Deputy Eric Smith
Serving Since: 1991
Email: charles.smith@baldwincountyal.gov
Deputy Sydney Wentworth
Serving Since: 2014
Email: sydney.wentworth@baldwincountyal.gov
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