The essence of Restorative Practices is all about building community and strengthening community. As Peaceful Schools broadens its scope of influence for inclusion of the culture of restorative practices in our local school communities, we recognize the value of the role of the School Resource Officer (SRO).

While School Resource Officers are employees of the Sheriff’s Department, they receive additional training that prepares them to be valuable members of a school community. This training emphasizes the distinction between their law enforcement duties and their most important responsibility in schools: serving as trusted adults who help keep students safe.

The SRO strengthens the overall sense of safety in our schools by being present in the spaces where students naturally gather—hallways, cafeterias, and assembly sites. Often, their presence alone helps students, teachers, and visitors feel more secure. Importantly, the SRO is not there to discipline students. Instead, the relationships they build with administrators and other trusted adults serve as a valuable asset in supporting a restorative school community.

In August, Peaceful Schools was invited by Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead and his team to facilitate professional learning on Restorative Practices. Crystal Small and I prepared and led a one-day interactive session for all SROs serving Durham Public Schools. The day focused on foundational restorative values and the shared language practitioners should use to support students. Officers engaged in a variety of tools and exercises designed to strengthen their effectiveness as community members within schools. One activity, in particular, centered on trust-building, giving officers firsthand insight into the challenges teachers and other adults face as they work to support students’ learning, social-emotional growth, and overall sense of safety.

As always, Peaceful Schools is grateful for the opportunity to serve when invited. We deeply appreciate Sheriff Birkhead and the School Resource Officers for their commitment to learning more about restorative practices and exploring new ways to strengthen our school communities.