School Resource Officer Program
School Resource Officer (SRO) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)Please see the MOU below.
Introduction
The City of Fairfax Schools partners with the City of Fairfax Police Department and Fairfax County Public Schools to support safe, secure, and supportive learning environments for students and staff. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes shared expectations for the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program, including the roles and responsibilities of each party, communication and coordination practices, training requirements, information sharing expectations, and program evaluation.
The City of Fairfax Schools partners with the City of Fairfax Police Department and Fairfax County Public Schools to support safe, secure, and supportive learning environments for students and staff. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes shared expectations for the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program, including the roles and responsibilities of each party, communication and coordination practices, training requirements, information sharing expectations, and program evaluation.
SRO services are provided at Fairfax High School and Katherine Johnson Middle School. The MOU is intended to strengthen collaboration, clarify responsibilities, and ensure the program operates consistently with applicable federal and state laws and local policies.
What the MOU Covers
This MOU provides an operational framework for:
- Roles and responsibilities of SROs, school administrators, and law enforcement in schools
- Communication, reporting, and coordination between schools and the police department
- Training requirements for SROs
- Student information privacy and information sharing in accordance with federal and state law
- Investigations, interviews, and arrests, with a focus on minimizing disruption to learning
- Search and seizure standards and the difference between school-based administrative searches and law enforcement searches
- Use of body-worn cameras
- Program evaluation, reporting, and public transparency
- Regular review of the MOU and opportunities for community input
Key Points
SRO Role and Supervision
- SROs are sworn law enforcement officers employed and supervised by the City of Fairfax Police Department.
- SROs support school safety, emergency preparedness, and collaboration with school leadership on safety-related matters.
- SROs are not responsible for routine student discipline. School administrators retain responsibility for school discipline and administrative matters that do not involve violations of law.
Training, Oversight, and Transparency
- SROs complete required training within a defined timeframe after assignment and participate in ongoing training at least every two years, including areas such as mental health and crisis intervention, de-escalation, disability awareness, restorative practices, implicit bias, and cultural competency.
- The SRO Program is reviewed jointly and evaluated annually using multiple data sources (such as school climate data and safety-related data).
- Program review results are made available to the public.
- The MOU is reviewed at least every two years (or sooner if requested), and each review period includes public notice and an opportunity for community input.
Student Privacy and Records
- Access to and disclosure of student information is governed by federal and state law, including FERPA.
Law enforcement records created and maintained by SROs are separate from student education records unless incorporated into a student’s school file.
Searches
- School administrators may conduct administrative searches consistent with applicable law and guidance.
- SROs generally do not participate in administrative searches unless there is a safety concern involving a weapon or a specific, articulable belief that a weapon may be present.
- Law enforcement searches follow applicable legal standards, including warrant requirements when necessary.
Body-Worn Cameras and Use of Force
- Body-worn cameras are used in accordance with police department policy.
- Any use of force is limited to what is lawful and consistent with police department policy and reporting requirements.
Student Interviews, Investigations, and Arrests
- Student interviews should be conducted privately and in a way that minimizes disruption to the educational environment.
- Reasonable efforts will be made to notify parents/guardians when a student is to be interviewed, unless urgent circumstances make that impractical.
- Miranda warnings are provided when required by law.
- When practical, SROs coordinate with the principal before making an arrest during school hours.
School Resource Officer (SRO) Program — Five Questions and Answers for Parents
The City of Fairfax Schools is committed to safe, welcoming learning environments. Below are five quick questions families commonly ask about our School Resource Officer (SRO) Program, along with clear answers. The full program details are outlined in the SRO Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the City of Fairfax Schools, the City of Fairfax Police Department, and Fairfax County Public Schools.
Have a question that is not answered here? Email [email protected].
How can families share a concern or request a conversation related to the SRO Program?
Start with your school administration (principal or assistant principal). They can coordinate with the SRO and appropriate police department contacts as needed.
What do SROs do day-to-day?
SROs focus on school safety and emergency preparedness. Day-to-day work may include helping with safety planning, responding to safety-related incidents, supporting prevention efforts, and collaborating with school leadership on safety concerns.
Do SROs provide educational presentations or participate in school activities?
When appropriate and with prior approval, SROs may participate in law-related educational programming and school/community safety-related activities.
My student attends a county school, where can I find information about their SRO program?
You can find more information here.