Law Enforcement in Kentucky Schools - Student Interactions and Current Practices

Abstract

This mixed-methods study investigates the role of school resource officers (SROs) in Kentucky and describes their interactions with students. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how SROs interact with students and the implications of those interactions. The quantitative phase of the research involved a secondary analysis of student behavior violation data and the reported outcomes for students. Data indicated that student interaction with SROs did not lead to a significant student arrest rate. In the qualitative phase of the study, a focus group was conducted with school resource officers to explore their daily interactions with students. Qualitative data analysis focused on identifying themes and patterns in the narratives shared by participants to provide insights into the complexities of the relationships between SROs and students. The collected data indicated that school resource officers spend significant time in school as informal counselors and mentors