What’s the role of school resource officers in State College? Oversight board hears feedback

As part of an ongoing conversation about school resource officers, the State College Community Oversight Board held a meeting Thursday to hear parents’ and community members’ experiences.

The Community Oversight Board oversees the State College Police Department, which is where the district’s two full-time school resource officers are employed. The district held events in February about the role of SROs, but COB chair Cynthia Young said the COB’s event was more focused on community experiences.

“It seemed like an important opportunity for us to say ‘what are people’s experiences with the SRO?”” Young said. “So we wanted to have an event that allowed people just to say what they’ve experienced.”

Throughout the open mic portion, attendees were split on support for the SROs and the need for security. Some parents asked that the district consider adding more than two full-time and one part-time officer in the district. Many said they were comfortable with State High’s SRO, John Aston, but questioned how the district could ensure future SROs have the same temperament.

The district has a one-year memorandum with the State College Police Department that will go in front of the board again in September.

Other parents questioned the role of SROs and their level of involvement with students. Parent Zachary Morgan said he does not feel comfortable having his children interact with police officers in the building.

“The community has to decide if what they want to do is have a police officer who’s there to protect from outside threats, or if what they’re doing is trying to train people to interact with police,” Morgan said. “Those are two different very, very different goals. And I think the contract needs to be clear on what we’re hiring people for.”

Out of the three dozen gathered in the room at Schlow Centre Region Library, students were notably absent. Only one State High student attended the meeting.

Although the event was open to students and parents, Young said she had heard that students feared speaking publicly about the topic of SROs.

“I have been approached by more than one person saying that they (are) ... or have talked to people who are scared to say anything, because they think they could be retaliated against or it could have some impact on them,” Young said.

Board president Jackie Huff said there are other ways for students to get involved in the conversation around SROs, including a second school climate survey that was recently sent out. Survey results are not yet public but will contain information on how students react to SROs and safety in the building.

The board also conducted a listening session with students at the high school on Monday, discussing several topics including SROs. Huff, along with board members Peter Buck and Carline Crevecoeur, were in attendance Thursday alongside school board candidates Michelle Young and Megan Layng.

“I really came to listen because like anytime we have community input, especially around an issue where people have such strong feelings and such divided opinions,” Huff said. “It’s really good to just be here and dedicate time to listening and trying to understand where everyone’s coming from.”

Following the event, the COB will write up a report with recommendations for the borough and the SCPD.