General Description

The Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety at the Department of Criminal Justice Services is pleased to announce the School Resource Officer and School Administrator Basic Course.  This four and a half day course focuses on school safety, school law, and in particular, the functions of School Resource Officers and School Administrators in a PreK-12 school environment. During this four and a half day training, participants will gain insight into their positions regarding school safety, threat assessment, and adolescent development.  Specific topics covered will include:

• The Roles and Responsibilities of an SRO and School Administrator
• School Climate
• School Discipline, Violence, and Suspensions
• Threat Assessment in Virginia Schools
• Advanced Legal Issues in Virginia Schools
• Technology Related Search and Seizure
• Adolescent Brain Development
• The Effect of Trauma on the Student
• Mental Health Issues in Adolescents
• Special Populations
• Gang Awareness in Schools
• Typical Adolescent Brain Development
• De-escalation

Intended Audience

This training is intended for:

• Current and future School Resource Officers (SROs) – SRO participants will receive a certificate and Partial In-Service Credit for participation in all segments of this training.  Must be a certified law enforcement officer. ​
• School Administrators who seek an understanding of these essential personnel roles and components of a safe school environment.  A certificate of participation will be provided.  Must be currently employed in a public or private school.

​NOTE: Individuals employed as School Security Officers will need to complete the 2-day SSO class to meet their certification requirements. For more information, please visit the School Security Officer (SSO) Certification Program page. 

Partial In-service Credit

Partial in-service credit is available for attendees of this training.

Cost

There is no fee associated with this training.

Travel, Lodging and Meals

Transportation, lodging, and meals are the responsibility of the participant.

Times

Registration begins at 7:30 am and runs until the session begins at 8:00 am on Monday.

Class time is 8:00 am - 4:30 pm on Monday - Thursday, and 8:00 am - 12:00 pm on Friday.

Note: The session at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy in Ashburn in July 2021 will run from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.

Registration

Pre-registration is required. Please note that the DCJS registration system does not have the capacity to sort eligible from ineligible registrants. Therefore, anyone who registers will receive a confirmation. It is the responsibility of the DCJS assigned course director to review the roster and make a final determination on acceptance into the course. Registrants not accepted will be notified via the email address provided during registration.

PLEASE NOTE: DCJS is preparing and planning to continue holding training sessions and conferences after a resumption of normal activities. Every effort will be made to hold this scheduled training, however, due to the uncertainty of the progression of the COVID-19, this training may require rescheduling. You will be notified by email if this training is rescheduled. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding.