You know when you see a Douglas County School Resource Officer, they’re keeping campus safe while your children learn.
The 43 men and women of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office who don the uniform to serve specifically in Douglas County schools work to build positive relationships with students and stay up to date on all the issues and challenges kids face in 2025. This compassion and service to the community is why The Board of Douglas County Commissioners declared Feb. 17 through Feb. 21, 2025, as School Resource Officer Appreciation Week in Douglas County.
For the 2024-2025 school year, the Board of County Commissioners has invested nearly $8 million in the School Resource Officer program of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. In honor of School Resource Appreciation Week, Commissioners Abe Laydon, George Teal and Kevin Van Winkle each visited a Douglas County School to spend a day in the life of a School Resource Officer.
Watch this video to see their experience.
The Board of County Commissioners provides funding each year to ensure School Resource Officers cover every public, private and charter school in unincorporated Douglas County. Following the STEM School shooting in 2019, the Board dedicated more than $13 million to school safety, including a larger investment in School Resource Officers.
“There is no source of safety for our kids that is more significant and more personal than our School Resource Officers – that human component, that relationship-building,” said Commissioner Abe Laydon, Board Chair. “SROs are such a critical piece of getting ahead of potential danger, and our SROS have done that so well.”
“The most common denominator of support that I always here out on the street is our SRO program,” said Commissioner George Teal. “The public here in Douglas County supports our SROs. We love you, we are here for you, and we appreciate that your deputies who are on duty in our schools are there for us and there for our kids. This resolution is just one way that we have to express our gratitude.”
“As a parent with kids in Douglas County schools, I rest easy knowing that Deputy Walker is there day in and day out,” said Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle. “The SRO is someone students can go to. I could never express enough gratitude to the men and women of our SRO force and the entire Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. It’s part of keeping Douglas County safe – we start with our students and we start with our schools.”
“I truly appreciate our School Resource Officers who serve in this vital role. They are a special group—each one is hand-selected for their unique skills, dedication, and passion for keeping our schools safe,” said Sheriff Darren Weekly. “Our SROs are not just law enforcement officers; they are trusted mentors, role models, and a source of support for students, staff, and families. They work tirelessly to ensure that our schools remain secure and that our students feel safe. Thanks to the investment from the county and the support from the community, we have a strong SRO presence that allows for quick response times, proactive security measures, and an environment where students can focus on learning in a safe environment.”
Visit our webpage to learn more about the collaboration and investments in SROs made by Douglas County, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Douglas County School District.
Read more about School Resource Officers on the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office webpage.