School Resource Officers (SROs) will soon be back in Alexandria City Public high and middle schools after the City Council voted to temporarily reinstate them at its Oct. 12 meeting. An appeal for the return of the SROs during the City Council session came from ACPS Board Chair Meagan Alderton, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr., Alexandria City High School (ACHS) Executive Principal Peter Balas and Director of Safety & Security Services John Contreras, among others.
“We want to thank the Alexandria City Council for its decision to reinstate our School Resource Officers (SRO) program in Alexandria City Public Schools. Per the City Council’s vote, officers will be stationed in both middle schools and Alexandria City High School for the remainder of the school year in partnership with the Alexandria Police Department,” Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings Jr. said.
All SROs being assigned to ACPS schools will be fully trained and will have received the required certifications. SROs serve as a proactive safety mechanism while serving as a trusted adult for our students.
“We look forward to having our SROs resume their work with our students and staff and we are working with the Alexandria Police Department to coordinate their swift return, which is now scheduled for Monday, October 18, 2021. Our SROs help create a safe and secure learning environment by being positive role models, building relationships and providing presence that acts as a preventative measure. I will be working closely with them to ensure proper execution of our MOU with APD and also engage our staff, students and community in future discussions around school safety,” said Alexandria City High School Executive Principal Peter Balas.