School Resource Officers receive training

LUMBERTON — Nearly 20 Robeson County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers participated in active shooter training Friday as more officers prepare to protect students and take their place in Public Schools of Robeson County schools this year. 

Eighteen SROs and some sheriff’s deputies gathered Friday at the campus of the former Green Grove Elementary School to train ahead of the school year. Training was conducted by the Sheriff’s Office and Robeson Community College.

All schools will be assigned an SRO, but some officers will share time and cover multiple schools. 

“I feel confident with the training we have instilled in our deputies that they will provide security necessary to protect our kids, teachers and staff,” Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said.

RCSO Training Coordinator Lt. Ricky Williams explained the importance of such training.

“These guys have to be prepared for this,” Williams said. “The quicker they get there … the more people they’re gonna save.”

SROs and some deputies participated in solo scenarios in a school setting which included the use of simunition rounds, which consist of plastic pellets filled with soap. 

The simunition rounds add a more realistic layer of training, he said. Participating in solo scenarios also help prepare SROs to react quickly before aid arrives. 

“It gives them an understanding of how they need to move,” Williams said.

The Public Schools of Robeson County has funded eight additional SRO positions to help provide security measures in its schools this coming year. 

Some SROs will divide time to cover elementary schools and an additional officer will be placed at Purnell Swett High School, bringing the school’s total to three because of high enrollment. 

The SRO positions are funded by PSRC at a cost of $455,000.

PSRC currently partners with multiple law enforcement agencies throughout the county to provide SROs at schools. 

“The Public Schools of Robeson County will continue partnering with local law enforcement agencies to provide safe learning environments in our classrooms that are conducive to student success,” PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson said. 

PSRC also will continue to put additional security measures in place to enhance school safety measures across the school district.