School Resource Officer Program

Updated 12-7-2023

The South Windsor School Resource Officers Program was developed in 2000 in order to better deal with a wide range of public concerns, which include violence in schools, drug and alcohol abuse, and any problems that affect the school’s quality of life. Officer Elsie Diaz was the first School Resource Officer in South Windsor and was located at South Windsor High School from 2000-2004. 

The term School Resource Officer, or S.R.O., refers to an officer who is specially trained in the community policing philosophy within a school environment. Their school is their permanent location or district of responsibility. The SRO provides police related services, both inside and outside of their schools, while continuing to solve problems that have a negative impact on the school’s environment.  The School Resource Officer must work hard in order to gain the trust and respect of the students at their assigned schools, as well as the school’s staff and administration. Each school has its own character, and the SRO must be flexible, and be able to adapt to the schools environment.  SRO’s must remain up to date in their training and aware of current issues, including safety and security issues, criminal justice theories such as the “school to prison” pipeline, procedural justice and restorative practices.

The School Resource Officers are trained to fulfill three primary roles. First and foremost they are law enforcement officers, whose main purpose is to provide for peace and safety in their schools. Second, they are mentors who provide guidance and information to students, families, and school staff. Third, they are instructors, who can provide the schools with additional resources by sharing their expertise in the classroom as guest presenters.  The SROs also participate in the community-based Juvenile Review Board, an alternative to juvenile arrests and the juvenile court system. 

The South Windsor Police Department operates a robust SRO program.  Currently there are two SRO’s assigned full time to South Windsor Public Schools: Officer Lawren Owens is assigned to Timothy Edwards Middle School and Officer Jeremy Weiss is assigned to South Windsor High School.  In addition, the department created the Auxiliary SRO program in 2018.  There are currently six Auxiliary SRO’s: Corporal Christopher Poehnert, Corporal David Johnson, Corporal Alexis McLean, Officer Erika Kuzara, Officer Kaitlyn Pierpont and Officer Kyle Kolcharno.  They assist in school programs on a regular basis and are familiar faces at the various schools.

Ofc. Lawren Owens Timothy Edwards Middle School Office Phone Number 860-474-1613	Ofc. Jeremy Weiss South Windsor High School Office Phone Number 860-648-5000 (Ext. 3101)