Primary Purpose:

The School Resource Officer is a sworn Texas peace officer assigned to provide law enforcement services and promote a safe and secure learning environment within the Luling Independent School District and throughout the City of Luling.

The School Resource Officer serves as a liaison between the Police Department and school administrators, faculty, students, parents, and staff. This position is responsible for enforcing state laws and applicable school policies, responding to calls for service, investigating criminal and suspicious activity, assisting with school security planning, and providing a visible law enforcement presence on campus.

The position requires excellent judgment, communication skills, professionalism, and the ability to interact effectively with students, parents, school personnel, and members of the community.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Graduate of a (TCOLE)-approved basic peace officer academy.
• Successful completion of the School Based Law Enforcement Course
• Current Texas Basic Peace Officer Certification or otherwise meet all requirements for appointment as a certified Texas peace officer.
• Valid Texas driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to successfully complete and maintain all required TCOLE training and continuing education requirements.
• Ability to qualify annually with assigned firearms and less-lethal weapons in accordance with departmental requirements.
• Must meet all applicable requirements for licensure and continued appointment as a Texas peace officer.
• Previous law enforcement experience is mandatory.
• Previous experience in a School Resource Officer capacity is preferred.

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of Texas criminal, traffic, and other applicable state laws and law enforcement procedures.
• Knowledge of police practices, procedures, and methods.
• Knowledge of school safety and security practices is preferred.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make appropriate decisions in emergency and high-stress situations.
• Ability to effectively communicate with students, parents, teachers, administrators, fellow officers, and members of the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school personnel and community members.
• Ability to investigate incidents, gather and preserve evidence, and prepare accurate reports.
• Ability to testify effectively in court.
• Ability to safely operate police vehicles and assigned firearms and less-lethal weapons.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and effective when dealing with confrontational or unpredictable situations.
• Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to work independently while following departmental policies, procedures, and directives from superior officers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responds to calls for assistance from school personnel and addresses incidents requiring law enforcement intervention on campus.
• Serves as a liaison between school administrators, faculty, students, parents, and the Police Department.
• Maintains a highly visible presence on school campuses to promote safety and security.
• Performs duties as assigned by the Chief of Police in consultation with school officials.
• Enforces applicable state laws.
• Responds to and investigates criminal activity, suspicious activity, disturbances, breaches of the peace, accidents, and other calls for service.
• Takes appropriate enforcement action, including issuing citations and making arrests when authorized and required by law.
• Investigates traffic accidents in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Enforces traffic laws and assists school officials with designated school traffic flow patterns.
• Monitors school parking lots and other areas of campus as needed.
• Assists school administrators with long-range planning and recommendations related to school security and safety.
• Provides security for special events and school functions as assigned.
• Assists students, parents, teachers, and administrators with safety and law enforcement-related concerns.
• Investigates criminal and civil activities and gathers, documents, and preserves evidence.
• Makes arrests and transports individuals to jail as required by law and departmental procedures.
• Patrols all campuses within the district, by vehicle or on foot as assigned.
• Responds to alarm calls and other emergency situations.
• Maintains required daily contact and communication with school administrators, principals, Police Department supervisors, and dispatch.
• Advises appropriate supervisors of incidents occurring within the City, on school property, or within the Police Department.
• Provides information to members of the public as authorized by state law and departmental policy.
• Prepares complete and accurate police reports and other documentation required by the Police Department or school officials.
• Provides job-specific statistics and activity information to the Chief of Police as required.
• Maintains and properly operates assigned police vehicles, firearms, less-lethal weapons, communications equipment, and other departmental equipment.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Chief of Police or other superior officer.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

The School Resource Officer works both indoors and outdoors and may be exposed to extreme temperatures, inclement weather, loud noises, and potentially dangerous or unpredictable situations.

The position may involve exposure to individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol, violent or combative individuals, criminal offenders, and other situations involving personal risk. The position may also require emergency response and operating or riding in a police vehicle under emergency conditions.

The employee must remain alert to actual or potential hazards and take appropriate action to protect the safety and welfare of students, school personnel, members of the public, fellow officers, and themselves.

Safety and Equipment Responsibilities:

The School Resource Officer is responsible for the proper care, maintenance, and operation of assigned police vehicles and departmental equipment.

The position requires demonstrated competency in the use of assigned firearms and less-lethal weapons and compliance with all applicable departmental training and qualification requirements.

The School Resource Officer is responsible for taking reasonable and appropriate measures to protect the safety of students, teachers, administrators, visitors, City employees, and members of the public while performing assigned duties.

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a full-time position with full City benefits. See City of Luling site here for more information.