In 2019, then Presidential candidate Kamala Harris suggested “demilitarizing” schools by removing police officers. At the time, her campaign disintegrated before any state began its primary elections. But now that Harris was designated the Democratic nominee,, the video has resurfaced and is making waves.
Harris just gets it wrong on this issue – her approach ignores the crucial role that school resource officers (SROs) play in keeping students safe and fostering better relationships between law enforcement and the community.
One of the key reasons we need SROs in schools is because they help students see the police in a positive light. When officers are part of the daily school environment, students start to view them as allies, not just enforcers. This is what community policing is all about—building trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the community to reduce crime and tensions. A Yale study shows that even one positive non-enforcement interaction with police increases the public’s trust in law enforcement, which results in better policing.
But beyond building relationships, some schools genuinely need police officers to maintain safety. During my time at Azusa High School, the presence of an SRO wasn’t just a precaution; it was a necessity.
Azusa 13, a notorious gang that is part of the Mexican Mafia, was a constant threat, and violence on school grounds was not uncommon. I vividly remember one incident where a gang fight broke out in the schoolyard. A student, bleeding from his head, was running across the campus, trying to escape from a group of attackers. The school resource officer was the first to intervene, breaking up the fight and preventing what could have easily become deadly.
This wasn’t an isolated case. The SRO at Azusa High was often the first line of defense in violent situations. Without the SRO’s immediate response, many more students could have been seriously injured or worse. The reality is that some schools face dangers that go beyond what teachers and administrators can handle alone. Gangs like Azusa 13 were a problem then and remain a problem today. Removing SROs doesn’t address the root causes of violence and leaves students vulnerable.
Those who advocate for removing police from schools argue that it will create a less intimidating atmosphere and reduce the school-to-prison pipeline. While these concerns are valid, they oversimplify the issue. The answer is not to remove SROs but to ensure they are trained in de-escalation and youth engagement. SROs should be seen as partners in education, capable of recognizing and addressing the unique needs of students without resorting to punitive measures. When done right, SROs can help prevent minor issues from escalating into bigger problems while providing the protection some schools desperately need.
School resource officers are not the problem but part of the solution. They help build bridges between law enforcement and the community, provide a necessary layer of security in schools facing serious safety threats, and play a critical role in maintaining order. Without them, schools like my alma mater, Azusa High, would be left vulnerable to the violence and chaos these officers work to prevent.
The focus should be on ensuring that SROs are equipped and trained to meet their students’ needs—not on removing them from schools. A well-trained, well-integrated SRO is an asset, not a threat. And that’s something we should all recognize.
