School Resource Officers: A triad of roles

Since the start of 2018, there has been, on average, one school shooting per week.

Following the Parkland shooting, students sparked a new movement that put an emphasis on issues such as gun legislation and school safety.

One local school resource officer (SRO) is looking to change that perception. He works to protect students and staff as well as keeping parents at ease.

When you enter Gila Ridge High School and roam the hallways, there’s one bright smile you can’t miss.

Along with his trademarked smile, Officer Evan Stokes is also equipped with a gun and a badge. He’s in his first year as the school’s resource officer.

“So, I’m a very friendly person… I’m very charismatic,” Officer Stokes said.

Stokes is a former Hawk himself and knows the culture of Gila Ridge. Every day, he greets students with that bright smile.

Principal Shawn Wehrer adds that Stokes brings a lot of different aspects to not only the education but to the school culture.

“Ninety-nine percent of our interactions with him as adults and students are going to be positive,” Principal Wehrer said.

In February, Officer Stokes jumped into action, when a threat targeting Gila Ridge that left many parents distressed for their children’s safety. Social media took the alleged threat to new heights.

“There’s information being put out that wasn’t authorized by us, that wasn’t proven to be true by us… It was social media kind of taking on its own face and becoming its own monster,” he said.

His role as a law enforcement officer isn’t his only addition to the campus.

“Traffic issues because of the area that we’re in and more of a counseling role on a typical day,” Stokes said about his daily duties.

They add to the curriculum, too.

“They’re in classrooms teaching. We have three classes where they get into Driver’s Ed, into working with you and the law and our criminal justice,” Principal Wehrer added.

“Their roles, it’s a triad of roles. They’re an educator. Another role they play is as a mentor or informal counselor to the students… that third role is really the law enforcement officer on the campus,” Associate Superintendent Lisa Anderson said.

The district has a working relationship with both the Yuma and San Luis Police Departments, and have worked together for the past 12 to 13 years. Officer Stokes is one of five SRO’s placed in local high schools.

His role in the classroom also sheds a light on a job that has been under scrutiny since Parkland. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School SRO resigned while under investigation for failing to confront the alleged shooter.

Officer Stokes said that no matter what, an SRO has a duty to fulfill.

“We put on this badge knowing that we may not go home. If that means I saved one kid, it was worth it,” he said.

After the events in Florida, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey introduced his “Safe Arizona Schools Plan.” It’s expected to include $11 million for additional school resource officers to be placed on campus. It also includes investing in mental and behavioral health, enhancing background checks by improving criminal history databases, and creating a central tip line for reporting school safety concerns.

During Gov. Ducey’s appearance on Phoenix-area news station, KTVK/KHPO, he added that this plan would be the “most thorough and thoughtful legislation in the nation.”

The initial response from both Democrat and Republican lawmakers have been lukewarm.

UPDATE: The latest legislative session, the NRA-backed plan, also known as SB 1519, never made it out of the Arizona Senate. The failed plan is now off the table.

Giffords, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, responded to the failure of the plan.

“Arizonans made it clear they wanted to see movement on the issue of gun safety. Instead of responding to their calls, Governor Ducey chose to craft his proposal behind closed doors with the help of the gun lobby-refusing to take into account the priorities of the students, families and communities of Arizona committed to public safety,” a statement said on the organization’s official website.

An SRO’s presence in schools could help deter students from committing assaults, according to a Congressional Research Service Report.

For Officer Stokes, having a good relationship with students helps in a major way as well.

“I prefer to look at myself as more for the kids, especially as the big brother. So I do tend to get involved personally with their lives, just because I do have a genuine interest in what’s going on with them. I want to see every one of them succeed,” Stokes added.

“The feeling of safety, having that SRO on campus, again through that relationship component, really that feeling of safety for both the students, the staff, and the parents,” said Anderson.

Stokes has a response for those who may now doubt an SRO’s role.

“I would like to tell people that School Resource Officers, we have a duty… our duty is to protect these children. Even the little bit of involvement I do have with these kids, that it is some kind of change in their life, and from what I’ve been able to see, it has been a positive change,” said Stokes.