On Tuesday, August 1, the Oklahoma City Council approved the School Resource Officer (SRO) contract with Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) for the 2023-24 school year. It requires the Oklahoma City Police Department (OKCPD) to provide school resource officers for OKCPS schools. This partnership is designed to bolster safety and security in educational institutions while providing a safer environment for students, teachers, and staff alike.
Under this contract, OKCPS will pay the city $2,033,179 to have SROs in various schools within the school district. OKCPS Board of Education members unanimously approved the contract during their July 17 regular board meeting. The OKCPD and the OKCPS are committed to ongoing collaboration as we move forward with implementing engagement guidelines recommended by the OKC Public Safety Partnership.
“We are dedicated to providing a secure learning environment for students and faculty within the school district,” Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley said. “The presence of our SROs not only enhances school safety but promotes positive relationships between students, staff and the community. The officers take an active role in nurturing the growth of the youth by being involved with mentoring and guiding them toward a successful future.”
The OKCPD employs youth programs such as the Police Athletic League (PAL), Family Awareness and Community Teamwork (FACT) and Youth Enrichment Services (YES), to name a few. These programs offer healthy alternatives for students in our community. It is imperative that we maintain a safe atmosphere of learning for our youth, while fostering an environment of self-confidence and achievement.
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Media Contact:
Captain Valerie Littlejohn, OKCPD
(405) 316-4071
valerie.littlejohn@okc.gov