How many times have you had to get some information in a timely manner about a new drug, new gang, unusual behavior, or other SRO material? If the answer is more than one, then you might be a good candidate for NASRO E-groups. E-groups is an online email list that keeps NASRO members informed via email of new fads, activities, and NASRO news.

NASRO E-groups was originally started in May of 1999. It was designed as a way of keeping students from the NASRO Basic SRO Class in Gatlinburg, Tennessee in touch with each other. Word quickly leaked out about the SRO newsgroups and the list began to spread across the country. Some NASRO Board Members joined up in the summer of 1999. By March of 2000 the list had grown to over 200 members. The list was officially adopted by NASRO in the same month and the name was changed from SRO to NASRO E-groups. Currently the list has over 600 NASRO members as subscribers.

While the list has continued to grow, there have been several minor problems, and many of them have been corrected. At one time, members were allowed to attach documents such as S.O.P.'s, contracts, and other documents to their emails. Attachments are no longer allowed to prevent the spread of accidental viruses over the list. Another problem that some members encounter if the issue of getting too much email. This matter can be addressed by simply changing your settings to Daily Digest instead of Individual Emails. Daily digest means you only get one email a day that includes all of the emails posted on that day.

Even with these minor difficulties, the E-groups are an excellent way to get instant feedback and advice from other SRO's throughout the country. Trooper Jack Keller of the New York State Police had this to say about E-groups, "We have started one of the first statewide SRO programs in New York state. I appreciate your user email group since it provides some important information to our SRO's". SRO Johnny Walker of Pell City, Alabama also had this to add, " I have found the E-groups an invaluable source of information. I have used it in the past for drug identification and classroom ideas."

The E-groups is a free service to Regular Members* of NASRO If you are interested in joining, then email David Thompson at thompsond@jeffcosheriff.org. Please make sure to tell him who you are, where you work, your contact information, and your NASRO background, including training.

*Regular Members: A person shall be eligible for regular membership if he or she is employed or appointed by a law enforcement agency or a school district as a school resource oficer, school based police officer, eduational personnel involved with a school based policing program or an administrator of a school based police program.