SRO Appreciation Day - James Jimmie Poynter
James "Jimmie" Poynter, Grant County, Kentucky
Tell us a little about your role as an SRO. “I am currently serving in a small rural Kentucky school. My school covers the largest land mass in the county but has the fewest students. We also have the greatest range in socioeconomics in the county. Simply stated, we serve the poorest and wealthiest students which I feel makes my school unique and a very desirable school to serve. I have created a young man’s group, “The Crew” made up of students who could use a little extra support. Since the creation of this group, test scores have increased and behavioral issues have all but disappeared. These boys are now leaders in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes.
What’s the most important part of your job? Without a secure campus, nothing else matters. However, security is a part of the overall SRO program. It is also important to build relationships, to educate not only students but staff and to be a mentor and trusted adult in the building. Not everyone goes home to a warm safe loving home when the bell rings. A good SRO could be the only trusted adult some children have.
What’s something you wish other people knew about your job? I wish people knew that a true SRO is more than a “hired gun” placed at the school to stop an active shooter. I feel that we do so much more. While my years as a SWAT Team member are valuable, so are my skills to communicate and support my students. People need to know that the “R’ in SRO is all about being a valuable Resource.
Why are school resource officers important? We need police officers. We need safe places for our children to learn. We need trusted adults who our students can turn to when life is not going so well. We need trainers who can train an otherwise uneducated staff on what it takes to have a truly safe campus. Teachers and administrators have enough to worry about just educating students. How can we expect them to know everything about securing a building or campus? SROs are not only an important part of the educational system but an absolute necessity. We should strive to show our students, and our future leaders what a true police officer can and should be.