SRO Smith named 2009 Kansas State School Resource Officer of the Year! Click here to read more...
The Augusta 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. In 2001, the department was awarded a second SRO grant for a position within the Augusta Middle 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 remains the Augusta High School SRO. The same method of selection was followed when the second grant was awarded and Officer Chris Scheuber was chosen for the position. In August of 2005, Officer Scheuber was promoted to rank of Sergeant and Officer Brian Smith was tasked with the responsibilities of the Middle School Resource Officer. 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.
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.
