Beginning in the 2006-2007 school year, the Arlington Police Department and Arlington Public Schools partnered together to have a police officer act as liaison. This specially trained officer is called a School Resource Officer (SRO). It is this officer’s role to help enhance school security and provide law enforcement education and counseling. School Resource Officers act as a resource to teachers, parents, and students by providing direction or advice on law related issues.
School Resource Officers Are Required By Massachusetts Law
Massachusetts General Law Part 1 Title 12 Chapter 71 Section 37P part b states “(b) Every chief of police, in consultation with the superintendent and subject to appropriation, shall assign at least 1 school resource officer to serve the city, town, commonwealth charter school, regional school district or county agricultural school.”
View the mandated law on school resource officers,
Learn about the role of school resource officers in Massachusetts
About The SRO
Officer White began his career as a patrol officer for the Arlington Police Department in 2012, and prior to becoming the SRO was assigned to the Homeless Outreach Program, where he worked with community partners to provide service, care, and resources for the town’s homeless population. Since 2016, Officer White has also taught students at the Middlesex Sheriff’s annual Youth Public Safety Academy about personal safety, health related issues, anti-bullying and team building. He has also served at the Arlington Health, Recreation and Cops (HRC) Camp since 2015, where he taught young people about Arlington’s Police and Fire Departments as well as health and safety issues.
Officer White is an Arlington High School alumni, and graduated in 2004. Prior to his career in law enforcement, he worked as a special education assistant teacher, student supervisor and Dean’s assistant at Minuteman High School. He also served as a head coach and assistant coach for ice hockey and lacrosse at Arlington and Minuteman High Schools.