The August Department of Public Safety (ADPS), in cooperation with Unified School District #402 (Augusta),
was awarded a grant in 1999 to create a position for a dedicated officer to be placed within
the Augusta Senior High School. The officer, referred to as a School Resource Officer or
"SRO," is a full-time commissioned officer whose primary assignment and responsibility falls
within a school.
The concept of School Resource Officers became prevalent in the United States in the 1960's.
The program has actually been in place since the 1950's when officers would go into schools
and give programs such as bicycle safety. In the 1960's, departments such as Tucson, Arizona
started implementing full-time SRO's in their schools. The concept gained attention from the
Government and funding was allocated to allow for grant positions to begin SRO programs in
schools.
When Augusta was awarded the grant, officers were asked to submit letters of interest for the
position. As a result, Officer Andy Hall was chosen for the position and was placed in the
Augusta High School as the SRO. Officer Hall began his SRO duties in August of 1999 and served in that capacity through January of 2008. In 2008, Officer Bob Brautman took over as the Augusta High School SRO. During the 2009/2010 school year, due to budget constraints, the SRO program was restructured and Augusta Middle School resource officer Brian Smith became the only SRO in Augusta. Smith now takes care of all of USD 402 schools and works daily in both the Augusta High School and the Augusta Middle School.
SRO Smith spends his days in the school bonding with students, resolving problems, and
addressing safety concerns within the schools of Augusta. Officer Smith is also a D.A.R.E. instructor for the State of Kansas. In 2009, Officer Smith was selected as the Kansas School Resource Officer of the Year, an honor bestowed by the Kansas Juvenile Officers Association, comprised of the Kansas Association of Kansas Resource Officers and the Kansas D.A.R.E. Officers Association, who each year selects one of their own for outstanding service, programs, and duties.
In addition, SRO Smith is responsible for coordinating and organizing "Operation Sober Prom," each year.
This program is designed to remind students about the dangers of drinking and driving.
The program utilizes a simulated motor vehicle accident scene. Emergency equipment responds,
with red lights and sirens as they would in real life. Rescue crews extricate fellow class
members from the wreckage and one fellow student is portrayed as deceased. The event always
draws the crowd to an immediate silence and tears can be detected from students on occasion.
The program is designed to be as close to the real thing as possible, in an attempt to
remind students of the consequences of such actions.
During the summer months, when school is not in session, SRO Smith reverts back to duties
of a regular Safety Officer providing coverage for the patrol and fire divisions.
SRO Smith can be contacted via e-mail at bsmith@augustadps.org or by phone at (316) 775-4500, extension 133.
