The School Resource Officer Program previously consisted of two full-time deputy positions. This year, through a federal grant, the School Resource Unit was able to secure two additional School Resource Officer positions to ensure safety in the community’s schools. These four deputies have over 40 years of combined law enforcement experience, as well as educational backgrounds and professional training in areas such as school safety, child development, Criminology, public speaking, and Criminal Justice Management.
The School Resource Officer assignment for the El Dorado Sheriff's Office covers 13 individual school districts, 57 public schools and approximately 22,000 students. Having two additional positions allocated enables the deputies to dedicate more time to mentoring youth and the development of positive relationships. This proactive approach allows deputies to intervene in the lives of youth involved in crimes in the community, lured by drug use, or impacted by other issues relating to the quality of life for young people in El Dorado County.
Due to the overwhelming and increasing popularity of tobacco amongst youth, the
School Resource Officers
CERT
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office oversees three Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). Even though CERT teams are located in specific communities, the teams can respond anywhere in the county. The teams are generally trained for disaster response including disaster preparedness, light urban search and rescue, disaster medical operations, fire safety, and terrorism awareness. Teams can also be activated for emergency responses in the county to volunteer and assist with evacuations, road closures, logistical support and animal care.
CERT volunteers complete a background check, an academy and maintain their status through monthly meetings and trainings. There are approximately 16 active CERT volunteers in the county.
In 2018, OES was looking for a new approach to sandbag distribution in the county. CERT teams volunteered to participate and have now been included in the county response to flood event/sandbag distribution plan. This problem the county was facing highlights the benefits of government and community partnerships.
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Operations
Sheriff’s Office was able to successfully obtain
the grant that allowed for the additional School
Resource Officers through the Department of
Justice. With the additional personnel, this unit
will help enforce laws that limit access to
tobacco products by underage individuals,
educate retailers about the types of tobacco
products covered under the law including
electronic smoking devices, and collaborate
with the El Dorado Public Health Department as
a partner of the Healthy Stores for a Health
Community Campaign (HSHC).
Apart from the many responsibilities that
School Resource Officers have during the
school year, they have been involved in many
community outreach programs and campaigns.
Deputies participated in National Night Out,
Red Ribbon Week, Every 15 Minutes, Project
LEAD, and many others. They also partnered
with Blue Shield of California to complete a
school site improvement project at Buckeye
School. Additionally, they conducted backpack
and school supply drives for students across El
Dorado County. During Thanksgiving and
Christmas they delivered meals for less
fortunate families and participated in Toys for
Tots annual Toys from the Truck event to bring
Christmas presents to children in the
community.