Police Commission to discuss school resource officer program, social service liaison

Police+Commission+to+discuss+school+resource+officer+program%2C+social+service+liaison

Oxford’s Police Community Relations and Review Commission will discuss the school resource officer program, a police social worker position and hear community input when it meets at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 10, at the Oxford Courthouse, 118 W. High St.

The purpose of the seven-member commission is to aid with communication between the city, the police, and the community along with increasing the accountability and credibility of police officers, all while creating a fair complaints process. 

The commission works to advise local groups and individuals on police matters. Police Chief John Jones attends commission meetings to answer questions and discuss items on the agenda.  

Jones said the three Oxford officers that work as school resource officers for Talawanda School District, also will attend the meeting and will describe what they do and what their goals and objectives are in the schools. Oxford officers serve as SROs for the three schools within the city – Talawanda High School, Talawanda Middle School and Kramer Elementary School. Butler County Sheriff’s deputies serve as SROs for Bogan and Marshall Elementary Schools, which are outside of the city.

Jones said that the SROs work with administrative staff and principals to provide a secure environment for kids. 

“They’re not just armed security guards that are there,” Jones said. “They’re very much about relationship building, mentoring kids… assisting the students and staff there and building a healthier community.” 

The other topic of discussion at the meeting will cover progress that has been made concerning the commission’s proposal for a social services liaison for the police department. According to the job description, the staff member would be a liaison between the police and the area social service providers which would also work to connect residents to resources.

The meeting will conclude with community input on policing in Oxford. The meeting is open to the public and Jones said audience members will have time to stand up and talk to the commission. He encouraged anyone wanting to share feedback with the police department to attend.