The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office is looking to hire multiple school resource officers (SROs) for the 2019-20 school year.

Committed to providing area schools with a safe learning environment, Morgan County Schools, in partnership with the MCSO, participate in nationally accepted SRO program involving the placement of a law enforcement officer in schools.

SROs serve as counselors, role models and advocates for students, families, faculty and staff while bringing personalized policing to an important segment of Morgan County. The SRO is a recognized and approachable resource for students and faculty throughout the school year.

The SRO program is composed of deputy sheriffs and allows for the deputies to be on a Morgan County School campus eight hours a day, five days a week. By working closely with the students, SROs are able to build a rapport with them to become an approachable resource for questions, advice and help. SROs work with teachers, parents and school staff to share responsibilities for crafting solutions to problems other than arrest.

During the 2019 session, the state legislature updated the qualification for SROs to include the following:

• good standing with APOSTC (Alabama Peace Officer Standards and Training Certification) and have power of arrest
• retired L/E officer with 20+ years’ experience can be hired as SRO
• SRO must carry nonlethal weapon (in addition to a primary weapon) and be trained

Those interested in applying can do so in person at 119 Lee St. in Decatur. Applications can be downloaded from www.morgancoso.com or requested by emailing publicrelations@morgancountysheriffal.gov.