Abstract
Purpose. This study examined the perceptions of three groups: principals, school resource officers (SROs), and school resource officer (SRO) supervisors, regarding the extent to which SROs perform teaching, counseling, and law-enforcement-related functions, and their effectiveness in performing those functions, in comprehensive high schools in Riverside County, California. Methodology. A survey was created with the cooperation of the California State School Resource Officer's Association (CSSROA) to identify perceptions of comprehensive high school principals, SROs assigned to those high schools, and SRO supervisors. The researcher received a 64.86 percent return rate from principals, a 75.68 percent return rate from SROs, and a 72.97 percent return rate from SRO supervisors for an overall response rate of 71.17 percent. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used to determine if statistically significant differences existed in the perceptions of the three groups regarding the extent to which SROs performed teaching, counseling, and law-enforcement-related functions. The chi-square test of independent samples was used to determine if statistically significant differences existed in the perceptions of the three groups regarding the perceived effectiveness of SROs in performing the teaching, counseling and law-enforcement-related functions. Findings. It was concluded that no significant difference existed in the perceptions of the three groups as to the extent to which SROs performed the teaching, counseling, and law enforcement functions. It was also concluded that all three populations perceived SROs as being predominantly effective or highly effective in performing the three functions of teaching, counseling, and law enforcement. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the perceptions of principals, SROs and SRO supervisors as to the effectiveness of SROs in performing the teaching and counseling functions. However, there was a significant difference between principals and SROs, and principals and SRO supervisors as to their perceptions of effectiveness and ineffectiveness of SROs as it related to the law enforcement function. Specifically, it appeared from the analysis of the data that SROs and SRO supervisors perceived SROs being more effective in performing law enforcement related functions that what principals perceived. Conclusions and recommendations. Evidence was found that supported the work and effectiveness SROs performed in comprehensive highs schools in Riverside County, California. More research is needed throughout California to determine how SROs reduce school violence and help ensure student safety.